The Black Coalition Against COVID and the Kaiser Family Foundation have launched a new campaign to provide Black communities with credible information about COVID-19 vaccines. THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us. features W. Kamau Bell, and a host of Black doctors, nurses and researchers in a series of YouTube videos that answer many common questions about COVID-19 vaccines. More and more Black adults say they intend to get vaccinated, but there is still a large percentage who have concerns about the vaccine or are waiting to see others get vaccinated first. This new campaign and organizations like the Black Coalition Against COVID are working to answer questions and assure the community about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines because they are the way forward and back to the things and people we love.
WITH 50 PERCENT OF ADULTS VACCINATED, THE US PASSES A MILESTONE
After a year and half of grim milestones, the Biden Administration this week announced a more optimistic one: over half the US adult population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 130 million people over 18 have taken a shot and almost 84 million have been fully vaccinated. This very good news puts the United States among the top five countries worldwide for vaccinations. It also reflects increased willingness to get vaccinated as the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines is more and more evident. In January, 67 percent of adults said they were willing to take the vaccine compared to 75 percent in a recent poll. We still have work to do to get to that 75 to 85 percent number where the country reaches “herd” immunity and we are largely protected from the virus. Let’s keep up our progress!
"Member Voices"
“As a veteran, this is my duty to protect myself and others with the vaccine, I will roll up my sleeve like I’ve done before. This vaccine is also a lifeline to my old self - getting me closer to the things I love to do. I have my fishing rod ready to enjoy some time off in Oklahoma.”
Gilbert B. Dillard III,
Spring eld, MA, PCA
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Q:What is the status of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
A: Last week, the Biden Administration ordered a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine to investigate whether there is a link between the vaccine and a very rare blood-clotting disorder. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the pause was intended to give experts time to gather more information and make informed treatment decisions. Dr. Fauci said he expects the CDC and Federal Drug Administration will make a recommendation about continued use of the J&J vaccine this week.
