Lindsay Diamond, PhD
Parent Advocate
Boulder County
Niwot, CO

Lindsay Diamond has always been a scientist. When she became a mother, she wanted to make immunization decisions based on the best available science. For Ms. Diamond, the decision was clear, but she saw many parents choosing not to vaccinate their children. She set out to help them make this decision based on the facts, see how their decision affects other children, and encourage them to take a risk-based approach to understanding vaccination.

Ms. Diamond is a consistent leader and effective communicator. While earning her PhD in molecular biology, Diamond also studied science communication. Her ability to translate the science of immunization into plain language has helped her convey the importance of vaccination to a wide audience. As a leading voice in her community, Ms. Diamond has helped parents approach this issue with an open mind. For example, she was invited to give a TEDx Talk on how understanding risk can help parents make the decision to vaccinate their children.

Ms. Diamond has worked with Boulder County’s immunization program and local healthcare partners to address low vaccination rates. With Ms. Diamond as a role model, the Boulder County Public Health Department has started looking for more parents who are strong advocates of immunization. By giving parents like Ms. Diamond a voice, public health officials in Colorado hope to move the needle on vaccination rates.

For her efforts to educate her peers and influence social norms, Lindsay Diamond is Colorado’s 2018 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion.