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.