Watch the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project’s June 9th town hall discussion hosted in conjunction with WBRC FOX6 News in Birmingham, Alabama. This conversation brought together a panel of healthcare, faith-based and community leaders for a dialogue on the infrastructure, geographic and socioeconomic barriers impacting rural and underserved communities’ ability to equitably access COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy in communities throughout the state and country.

The one-hour town hall was moderated by WBRC FOX6 news anchor Morgan Hightower and began with a video message from Alabama U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville , encouraging all Alabamians to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The subsequent discussion included panelists:

• Karyne Jones, COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project convener and President & CEO of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging
• Dr. Derrick Jordan, Pastor at Hope Everlasting Ministry
• Michael Saag, M.D., Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases Associate Dean, Global Health, UAB Medicine
• John Waits, M.D., FAAFP, CEO, CFMR Program Director, FM & OB Faculty, Physician at Cahaba Medical Care