Contagious Conversations: Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy
Most people in the United States are planning to get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but some may want more information before seeking vaccination. These individuals are looking to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, including the process for developing and authorizing them as well as information about their safety and effectiveness. People of color may also have previous experiences that affect their trust and confidence in the health system, which could influence their decision to get vaccinated.
One thing became clear to me in my recent Contagious Conversations podcast interview with Dr. Atul Nakhasi and Dr. Elizabeth Homan Sandoval: by taking time to listen to their concerns and answer their questions, you can help people become confident in their decision to get vaccinated.
Dr. Nakhasi is a frontline physician who serves as an advisor to the office of Government Affairs and Policy for the L.A. County Department of Health Services. He is also the co-founder of ThisIsOurShot, the country’s leading vaccine trust movement by frontline care workers. Dr. Homan Sandoval is a psychiatrist working with children and teens, and she focuses on educating and empowering the Latino/a/x community to get vaccinated.
You’ll want to tune into Contagious Conversations podcast episode 21, where you will hear a compelling discussion from these health care heroes about how vaccine hesitancy continues to be a challenge in fighting the pandemic, and the power of spreading culturally competent information using trusted voices in our communities. I was empowered by their perspectives on this important topic, and I hope it helps our listeners understand the importance of overcoming this challenge in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine from the CDC website.
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