More than 150 Chaldean doctors sign on to letter urging their community to get the COVID-19 vaccine

DETROIT – More than 150 Chaldean doctors are urging their community to get vaccinated to protect against COVID-19 in an open letter released today in both English and Arabic.

The letter, penned by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, pediatrician and professor with Michigan State University and Dr. Rena Daiza, senior staff family medicine specialist with Henry Ford Health System, includes signatures from internists, pulmonologists, allergists, anesthesiologists, ophthalmologists, obstetricians and every specialist in between, representing more than 2,000 collective years of physician experience.

Dr. Hanna-Attisha said she and Dr. Daiza were motivated to write the letter and enlist fellow physicians to address the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine hesitance in the Chaldean community.

“Our family just had another funeral,” said Dr. Hanna-Attisha, who is also a co-chair of the Protect Michigan Commission. “Nearly every single family in our tight-knit community has lost loved ones, and at this point in the pandemic, it is misinformation that is killing people.”

The letter reads, “We can end this. The COVID-19 vaccine is the answer.”

“All of the physicians who signed this letter want people to know that we chose to be vaccinated for the protection of our health, our patients and our communities,” said Dr. Daiza. “The only thing we gain from these vaccine efforts is the health and well-being of those we care about.”

“The response to this letter from Chaldean healthcare workers has been overwhelming and inspiring,” said Dr. Musib Gappy, a Hazel Park internist and Chief Officer of the Chaldean American Association of Health Professionals. “From doctors to nurses, pharmacists, dentists, physician assistants and more, we all recognize that vaccines save lives.”

The letter also urges people to talk to their doctor about their questions and concerns and ends with a plea for vaccination.

“We would like to sit down with you, listen, and answer your questions. We implore you and every eligible person in your family to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Not only is it our job to keep you healthy, but we sincerely care about you and our entire Chaldean community.”

Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit Michigan.gov/COVID vaccine. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.