Learn more about us
About Boost Oregon
Our Mission & Vision
Boost Oregon empowers people to make science-based vaccine decisions for themselves, their families, and the community.
We envision a world where people’s health decisions are rooted in science.
Statement Of Equity
Boost Oregon is a community of parents, medical providers, and concerned citizens with a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. We serve all people, regardless of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status. We aim to practice diverse representation through our policies and practices, including through board and committee member representation, staff and contract employees' hiring, and images used in print and web-based materials. We expect all representatives of Boost Oregon - board members, staff, and volunteers - to conduct themselves with the same commitment to human rights, respect, and tolerance.
In The Press
Below are links to a selection of recent television profiles, radio pieces, print articles, and online posts about Boost Oregon, our staff, and our volunteers.
For media inquiries, please contact: info@boostoregon.org.
And more…
STAT - “‘There was no plan’: Throwing spaghetti at the wall to overcome COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy” - November 2, 2021
Women in Medicine Summit - “Changing the Culture of Immunization” - July 27, 2021
The David Paull Show - “Fears and Misinformation Driving Vaccine Hesitancy” - May 11, 2021
2 Cent The Podcast - “Vaccines, Education, Misinformation, & Other Things That Spread” - May 6, 2021
WBUR On Point - “Vaccine Mistrust and How to Overcome It” - January 5, 2021
elemental - “What to Do to Make Sure People Get the Vaccine When It’s Ready” - August 12, 2020
NBC News - Why do people abstain from vaccines? - June 24, 2019
WBUR Endless Threads - “Infectious, Part 5: Talk to Me” - May 31, 2019
CBS Sunday Morning - “Winning hearts & minds over vaccines” - May 12, 2019
Oregon State Bar Bulletin - “Profiles in the Law” - April 2019
Willamette Week - “Doctors are Trying a Gentler Approach to Persuade Vaccine-Skeptical Parents” - March 20, 2019
OPB - “Amid Measles Outbreak, Pediatrician Tries Gentle Approach to Vaccination” - March 1, 2019
KTVZ - “More parents claiming exemption from vaccines” - December 7, 2018
Portland Mercury - “Despite State Intervention, Oregon’s Unvaccinated Rates Keep Climbing” - December 6, 2018
Portland Tribune - “Where students in Portland aren’t getting their shots” - February 15, 2018
pdx/parent - “VAX On” - May 15, 2017
How We Got Started
Boost Oregon came into existence because our founder, Nadine Gartner, recognized the need for vaccination education in Oregon. While pregnant with her first child, Nadine realized that educated, smart parents in her Portland community chose not to vaccinate at all or to delay their children’s vaccination schedules.
Nadine learned that these parents reached those decisions by researching online and conferring with other vaccine-hesitant parents.
She did her own online research and was shocked at the prolific and vehement anti-vaccination sentiments that surfaced. The only pro-vaccine messaging came from the federal and state governments, entities that many parents distrust. Nadine realized that parents made their decisions based on fear and false and misleading information, rather than actual facts, and that parents shared this misinformation with one another.
Boost Oregon aims to disrupt this dangerous cycle of misinformation by providing evidence-based education without fear or degradation.
Thank you for your interest in building a healthy future for all Oregonians!