![alisa haushalter alisa haushalter](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/haushalter111814-141127073046-conversion-gate02/95/alisa-haushalter-senior-director-dept-of-pop-health-nemours-us-22-638.jpg)
The best thing I can do for my friends and loved ones who are hesitant to get the vaccine is to lead by example.ĭr. When the vaccine was approved for the public, I had questions at first, but I looked at the primary data and made the decision to get vaccinated.
![alisa haushalter alisa haushalter](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/haushalter111814-141127073046-conversion-gate02/95/alisa-haushalter-senior-director-dept-of-pop-health-nemours-us-17-638.jpg)
I even thought it would be a couple of years before we had an effective vaccine. That’s why the Bluff City Medical Society launched a campaign to increase awareness on the safety of the vaccine. WASHINGTON: People want to make sure it’s safe and are hesitant because the vaccine was developed so quickly. Our hospitalizations and dates are significantly high among older age, so that’s where our focus had to be.ĭR. When the demand greatly exceeds the supply, you have to prioritize it. So far, we have seen a drastic decrease in the number of hospitalizations and deaths among the elderly as a result of our vaccination plan. The distribution plan is very risk-focused, taking into account the communities most at risk of death or severe complications from the virus, one of which is the elderly. The final decision on the number of doses distributed is made by a stakeholder group outside of the state government. We follow the social vulnerability index created by the CDC to determine additional doses distributed on top of what is already distributed for population numbers. Having mass vaccination sites in some cities does nothing for geographic equity. Once you start getting to the more vulnerable populations, by necessity, you have to slow down. PIERCY: The state’s plan is to get to all communities in an equitable fashion. First responders and medical personnel were the first group eligible to be vaccinated.ĭR. Due to limited supply of the vaccine, we had to focus on profession over demographic. HAUSHALTER: As we move through the vaccination process, we are seeing more and more persons of color being vaccinated. United Way has long been known for our role as a convener, and now more than ever, the need to provide accurate and specific information about the COVID-19 vaccine is critical.ĭR. We hope you found it to be a timely virtual event that shared key data and crucial insights from seasoned medical professionals. In partnership with Local24 Memphis, The Commercial Appeal, National Civil Rights Museum and MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, this dialogue provided the answers our community needs to understand the virus, address current myths about the vaccine, and receive up-to-date medical information about the vaccine, its distribution, and how it can work as one of the most effective tools to protect your health and prevent further disease. Barney Graham, MD, PhD, Deputy Director of the NIH Vaccine Research Center and Chief of the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, and featured an impressive panel engaged in an honest conversation about the vaccine and its role in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. “Candid Conversations: COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccinations” was led by keynote speaker, Dr. We assembled a Town Hall for all Mid-Southerners to learn more about the COVID-19 virus and the vaccinations available to the public. Women United and United Way of the Mid-South would like to thank those that participated in “Candid Conversations: COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccinations” Thursday, February 25th. National and local health professionals engaged in an honest conversation about COVID-19, the virus, the vaccine, and our community.