Health disparities existed before the pandemic and continue today, but there are lessons to be learned from the COVID-19 experience to inform an approach to help close the gaps. The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project recently hosted a LinkedIn Live discussion around how health groups can incorporate successful approaches to improve both COVID-19 rates and address longstanding vaccination inequities, which have led to lower vaccination rates for many and to a higher incidence of vaccine-preventable disease in vulnerable populations.
Featured speakers included:
The conversation was moderated by Dr. Uzma Syed, Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force for Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.
Given the Omicron surge, developments around vaccines for younger children, and the ongoing questions around booster eligibility and timing, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project held a virtual townhall aimed at educating and clarifying these and other relevant topics with CDC and FDA experts.
Featured speakers included:
The conversation was moderated by Karyne Jones, President & CEO of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, Inc and a co-convener of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project.
Watch highlights here and here.
Given the recent Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 vaccination of children ages 5-11, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project convened a webinar aimed at addressing key questions and considerations related to younger children and the vaccine. A panel of health experts discussed how the clinical trials were conducted for this age group, the regulatory approval process that was followed and addressed parents’ top questions to help build confidence in the vaccine for children 5-11.
Participants included:
This discussion was moderated by Dr. Lucy McBride, Practicing Internal Medicine Physician.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Coronavirus Task Force, shares an important message on the critical role of COVID-19 vaccines in saving lives. As some individuals remain hesitant to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee implores, “I’m asking you as a neighbor to go get vaccinated. I’m asking you as a family member to get vaccinated. And I’m asking you as a Houstonian, a Texan, and an American.”
Given the recent federal recommendations and ongoing discussions around COVID-19 booster vaccines, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project convened a partner townhall to address COVID-19 booster vaccine considerations. The discussion addressed the research and approval process for COVID-19 booster recommendations, questions about eligibility availability and timing, and highlighted the ongoing research and data showing that all three vaccines remain highly effective against the virus and the variants that have emerged.
Participants included:
The discussion was co-moderated by Venus Ginés, President and Founder of Dia de la Mujer Latina and Sue Peschin, President and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research and a co-convener of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project hosted a Facebook Live event with local leaders to discuss overcoming vaccine hesitancy among Detroit’s Black community. The conversation addressed common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine development process, safety and efficacy, myths vs. facts and highlighted available on-the-ground resources to help instill confidence in the vaccines.
Participants included:
Given the low COVID-19 vaccination rates and the unique challenges rural areas face in overcoming vaccine hesitancy, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project convened a conversation around building vaccine confidence in Southwest Missouri. Bringing together unique perspectives from the business community, local health officials and Missouri Senator Roy Blunt, the event addressed common questions about COVID-19 vaccines, the importance of vaccination in rebuilding the local economy and efforts underway to encourage vaccinations in the state.
Confirmed participants included:
The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project facilitated a Spanish-Language Fireside Chat, featured on Facebook, on September 9th at 2:00 pm CT. This virtual event focused on building COVID-19 vaccine confidence and how health experts are working to increase vaccine uptake in Houston’s Latinx communities and beyond.
Confirmed participants included:
The discussion can be viewed here.