"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
-Maya Angelou
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized many gaps in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly where morbidity and mortality rates across the U.S. has disproportionately affected racial/ethnic populations nationwide. In December 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization for a vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 disease, where it was largely met with opposition in the Black/African American community as a mere 24% of the population intended to get the vaccine and 40% did not intend on getting the vaccine (Neergaard and Fingerhunt, 2019). These preconceived attitudes and beliefs towards vaccination were mainly fueled by false claims found on media platforms, previous human behavioral choices, and past injustices and atrocities committed in the Black/African American community by medical professionals.
As of February 2023, Black/African Americans have the lowest percentage of those receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, yet have one of the highest risk of hospitalization and mortality (Hill et al., 2023).
In order to combat some of the most commonly heard misconceptions, RAO Community Health created an educational communications toolkit to address myths and misperceptions about flu and COVID-19 vaccines, by empowering people to learn information from credible sources to increase vaccine confidence and acceptance. In addition to raising awareness of the burden of flu and COVID-19 viruses have on people with chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension) that predominantly affect the Black/African American community.
Educate to Vaccinate is a digital resource hub that aims to:
- Address myths and misperceptions about flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
- Raise awareness of the burden of flu and COVID-19 while living with a chronic health condition.
- Empower people to build vaccine confidence by learning information from credible sources.
Social media graphics and print collateral were designed to be shared among local organizations, businesses, community members, and family/friends to build vaccine confidence in the Black community from ages 18-44.
Join the Movement!
RAO Community Health is always seeking new partnerships with other community based organizations. If you would like to become a partner or looking for a vaccine provider for a vaccination event, drop us a line!
