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In response to recent CDC data showing a decline in routine childhood immunizations in young children, The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project (CVEEP) partnered with Dr. Katelyn Jetelina of Your Local Epidemiologist on an online event series aimed at parents to build vaccine confidence and overcome hesitancy issues. An Instagram Live addressing misinformation and vaccine questions for parents in the Hispanic community was held March 20th at 8pm ET. Featured speakers included:

• Liz Lebron, Research Manager, Voto Latino
• Shanna Salazar, RN, BSN, CSN, Certified School Nurse and  Author

Dr. Jetelina moderated the discussion, which can be viewed here.

Partnering with the hosts of the Unbiased Science Podcast, CVEEP held an Instagram Live discussion addressing COVID-19 vaccination rates in children. Hosts Dr. Jessica Steier, public health scientist and Dr. Andrea Love, immunologist and microbiologist, interviewed Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Watch the event here:

In collaboration with the Unbiased Science Podcast, CVEEP held an Instagram Live event to help combat misinformation around COVID-19 vaccines, especially for children. Hosts Dr. Jessica Steier, public health scientist and Dr. Andrea Love, immunologist and microbiologist, interviewed AAFP Board Chair Dr. Sterling Ransone about his experience overcoming vaccine hesitancy in his rural community. Watch the event here.

CVEEP partnered with Dr. Katrine Wallace, Epidemiologist, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, and Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, Epidemiologist and Research Fellow at The John’s Hopkins Center for Health Security for an Instagram Live: Why Aren’t We Better Protecting Our Youngest Children Against Infections?

The pair discussed themes from their recently published Contagion article on the low uptake rates of COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 and under, answering parent questions and tackling misinformation aimed at building confidence in COVID-19 and all routine vaccines for children. The event can be viewed here.

With EUAs recently granted for updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for children under five, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project convened a virtual fireside chat with FDA and pediatric experts to discuss the rationale for updated shots and address questions around eligibility and effectiveness amid the holiday season.

Panelists included:

• Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
• Dr. Dana DeShon, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, Chair, NAPNAP Immunization Special Interest Group

Watch the event here:

Radio spots feature trusted community voices, including first doctor to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States, to educate hesitant populations on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination and boosters where uptake remains low

Access the new radio PSAs here.

WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 3, 2022 – The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project, a group of more than 230 leading organizations convening a dialogue around vaccine education, today launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign that highlights the continued importance of COVID-19 vaccination and boosters for hesitant populations. The three-month national radio PSA campaign features trusted voices to help connect with diverse and rural communities, including Dr. Yves Duroseau, Chairman of Emergency Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital; Betsy Huber, President, The National Grange; and Dr. Ilan Shapiro, Chief Health Officer and Medical Correspondent, AltaMed.

While COVID-19 vaccines and boosters remain widely available in the United States, uptake continues to lag, particularly among minority and rural populations. The new PSAs, available in 15, 30 and 60-second recordings with Spanish and English options, provide audiences with information from authentic spokespeople to encourage communities to stay up to date on all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

“Trusted messengers continue to play a crucial role in fostering an open dialogue about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination,” said Karyne Jones, President & CEO, National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, Inc. (NCBA) and Co-Convener of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project. “Our PSAs feature spokespeople from diverse backgrounds to help connect with communities experiencing vaccine hesitancy to promote more equitable uptake in COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, which continue to serve as the best ways of protecting yourself and your community.”

The PSAs are available here and include:

• Dr. Yves Duroseau, Chairman of Emergency Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital
  As the first doctor in the United States to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in December of 2020, Dr. Duroseau is an advocate for vaccination within his hospital and community. His spots are recorded in English and spotlight the impact of COVID-19 on the Black community and importance of vaccination for being protected against future illness.
• Dr. Ilan Shapiro, Chief Health Officer and Medical Correspondent, AltaMed
  Dr. Shapiro is a highly engaged medical voice within the Hispanic community. His spots highlight the importance of booster shots for increasing immune response and preventing severe illness from variants like Omicron and are available in both English and Spanish.
• Betsy Huber, President, The National Grange
  Not only is Betsy a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, but she is also a leader within the rural community as president of The National Grange. Her spots are recorded in English and focus on the importance of vaccination for personal protection as well as for one’s family and community.

COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective against the virus – preventing hospitalization and severe illness – but protection can wane over time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone age five and up be vaccinated, and everyone age 12 and up get a booster dose. Booster shots increase the level of immune response in people who are fully vaccinated, giving them more protection against COVID-19. With Omicron, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization was 91 percent after a booster, and stayed high at 78 percent four or more months after a third dose.

Additional information about the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project is available here.

About the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project
As more than 230 leading organizations representing patients, caregivers and families, diverse communities, healthcare workers, older Americans, veterans, frontline workers and scientists, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project launched in December 2020 to provide information about the clinical trials process, regulatory review, distribution of and access to potential COVID-19 vaccines in a way that promotes equity and trust. Support for the project has been provided by Pfizer, Inc., Johnson & Johnson and Novartis. Learn more at covidvaccineproject.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn at @COVIDVxProject.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded access and strengthened its guidance on boosters, recommending that everyone aged 18 and older should get a booster shot either at least 6 months after completing their initial Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna two dose vaccine series or 2 months after receiving their initial J&J-Janssen vaccine.

The CDC’s recommendation also allows for “mix and match dosing for booster shots.” Regardless of the COVID-19 vaccine you received initially, you may choose which of the authorized COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster.

Throughout the pandemic there have been ongoing clinical studies to monitor the safety and efficacy of the authorize vaccines. The research has shown that all authorized COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective against the virus. While it is important for fully vaccinated adults to get booster shots, it is also critical that we continue to encourage family and friends who have yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to do so as soon as possible.

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:
• Dr. Takeisha Davis, CEO of New Orleans East Hospital
• Dr. Bert Johansson, Executive Board Member of National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA)
• Dr. Todd Wolynn, CEO and Founding Physician of Kids Plus Pediatrics

This discussion was moderated by Dr. Lucy McBride, Practicing Internal Medicine Physician.