Move with the Mayor® campaign highlights flu prevention and its connection to heart health
Ten mayors from communities across the country have joined the 2026–2027 Move with the Mayor® flu immunization awareness public service announcement (PSA) campaign to encourage residents to find their reason for getting a flu shot.
Led by the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention, the “What’s Your Reason?” campaign brings mayors and local pharmacists together as trusted community voices. In the PSAs, they’ll highlight the connection between flu and cardiovascular health, share personal reasons for getting vaccinated, and encourage residents to speak with a pharmacist or another healthcare professional about flu immunization.
The participating mayors are:
- Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta, Georgia
- Mayor Nancy Backus, Auburn, Washington
- Mayor Tim Kelly, Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Mayor Aftab Pureval, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Mayor Kevin Brubaker, Elyria, Ohio
- Mayor Hattie Portis-Jones, Fairburn, Georgia
- Mayor Dean J. Trantalis, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Mayor Travis Stovall, Gresham, Oregon
- Mayor John McPeek, Harrisburg, Illinois
- Mayor Gary McCarthy, Schenectady, New York
The National Forum will share the videos through social media and partner communication channels during the 2026–2027 flu season.
“Mayors and pharmacists bring different perspectives to the same conversation about flu prevention,” said Jen Childress, MS, director of programs for the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention. “Through Move with the Mayor®, we’re bringing those local voices together to encourage residents to ask questions, talk with a healthcare professional, and find their reason for considering flu immunization.”
Participating pharmacy partners include Albertsons, CVS, Kroger, Safeway, Walgreens, and Walmart.
“People often have questions about which vaccines they need, when to get them, and what to expect,” said Chuck Page, RPh, health and wellness leader for Kroger Health’s Atlanta Division. “Kroger pharmacists can have those conversations and help patients make informed decisions about flu immunization. We’re pleased to join the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention and Mayor Dickens in supporting this critical initiative.”
Flu can cause serious illness, hospitalization, and death. It can be especially dangerous for people with certain chronic health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. Flu illness has also been associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. A 2018 study found that the risk of a heart attack was six times higher within one week of a confirmed flu infection.
Annual flu immunization is the best way to help reduce the risk of flu and its potentially serious complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine every season, with rare exceptions.
Residents can visit hhs.gov/vaccines/get-vaccinated/where to find a vaccination location near them. Vaccine availability and appointment requirements may vary by location.
To learn more about flu prevention and the Move with the Mayor® campaign, visit natforum.org/flu-immunization.
About Move with the Mayor®
Move with the Mayor® (MWTM) is an initiative of the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention, a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. For 12 years, mayors have used MWTM messaging, programming, policy and infrastructure recommendations, and other tools to encourage active, healthy living while strengthening individual and community resilience. To learn more, visit natforum.org/mwtm.
Media contact
Amanda Thomas
Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator
National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention
770-609-0674
amanda.thomas.ic@nationalforum.org
