TAKING THE VACCINE

When the corona virus first attacked us, African Americans were unwittingly at the front of the line of those disproportionately affected and more likely to be hospitalized and die as a result of complications. A focus on making testing available for the more affected populations and the consistent promotion of safety measures started making a dent in the disproportionate impacts being felt by people of color and saved many lives.

Now that there's a vaccine, questions are arising as to who's first in line and who is really going to take it. Clearly, health care workers are at the front of the line as they are hard at work providing care for those hospitalized as a result of complications from COVID-19. However, after that where will the other front-line workers appear on the list for vaccinations? Then the real question is how will the African American community respond to their opportunity to get the vaccine?

A key consideration relative to healthcare and development of the COVID-19 vaccine is trust and our community's concern for past treatment of African Americans. The forty-year Tuskegee experiment that dates back to 1932 is foremost in the minds of many. But this vaccine development has involved open and strong involvement of African American professionals to ensure trust and safety for the community.

I have been following and studying the commentary and advice from the scientists and medical professionals regarding the efficacy of the vaccines and I am compelled to get vaccinated. When I listen to Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a Black woman and noted Senior Research Fellow, I'm encouraged about the safety of the vaccine because of her lead role at the National Institute Health in developing the Moderna vaccine. I think it is critically important to that this African American scientist has played an integral role in the research and approvals for this breakthrough.

Moreover, I am taking note of the commentary from the Black Coalition Against COVID, which includes the Deans of the four (4) black medical schools, in their belief and support of the vaccines becoming available and ensuring that they are safe and effective for Black and Brown communities. I am advocating that we listen to professional, trusted voices while staying away from the anti-vaccine community and the social media pundits who espouse negative statements that are antidotal and not based on fact.

Always just ask your own physician about the vaccine and whether it is safe for you to take, then make your decision on whether taking the vaccine is for you. The opportunity to save your life and the lives of those we love is vested in a large number of the population being vaccinated against the corona virus. I'm planning to take the vaccination and hope you will, too.