Get Vaccinated and Boosted

Do it for us. Do it for them. Do it for you.

COVID-19 facts you should know

Black / African American people had 2.6 times higher rates of hospitalization for COVID-19 and 1.9 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to white Americans (CDC, November 2021)

It’s too risky to wait. It is much safer to get vaccinated than to risk getting COVID-19. Vaccinated people are much less likely to be infected and experience hospitalization or death. (CDC)

The vaccine is safe for people with chronic health conditions (CDC)

The Black community was involved in the vaccine development. Leading coronavirus scientist and developer of Moderna vaccine, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, is an African American woman and Black/African American people of all ages participated in vaccine clinical trials. (KFF)

If you are interested in other artwork for promotional materials like the image displayed here, please contact Meredith Warman for more information. All materials are copyright 2022 CO-CEAL.

Urban African American/Black rapid Boot Camp Translation (rBCT) included people of African descent living in Urban Denver and Aurora; native born Africans were not included. Nine community members from Denver and Aurora were convened in the fall 2021. The group identified several root causes and reasons for vaccine hesitancy or low uptake including mistrust due to historical experiences of medical experimentation on Black people, misinformation, and lack of accurate up to date information about COVID 19 vaccines. Several key messages were developed:

  • Black children disproportionately experience more complications from COVID-19 infections
  • Preventative measures, such as mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, mask wearing, hand washing, and healthy choices, keep your family safe
  • The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for children 6 months and older
    • Boosters are recommended for children 5 years and older
  • Diversify your research and information sources to make an informed decision for your family
  • Keep your children safe, get them vaccinated!
  • Masks are protective
  • Anyone can be infected by COVID 19, even if they are young and healthy
  • A Black doctor was involved in the development of the Moderna vaccine
  • African Americans participated in the clinical trials
  • COVID 19 vaccines are safe, effective and protect healthy people from severe disease, hospitalization and death
  • Breakthrough cases may still happen even if vaccinated
  • Unvaccinated allow the virus to continue to circulate, mute and result in variants that make COVID vaccines less effective

An early consensus decision was to identify community messengers. The group identified mothers as effective messengers in the African American community. Given the numerous messages, the community chose to develop a video and a website. The script for the video was written, produced and edited by members of the BCT group. The video setting is a Sunday dinner, which is typical and relatable to the African American community. The tone is cultural and included a real meal. The video has been disseminated through social media, libraries, faith- based communities etc.

Promotional Materials

CCTSI
Silhouette of a family

Personnel

Community Connector
Quatisha "Q" Bailey
Facilitators
Jameel Mallory
Emma Gilchrist
Medical Expert
Oswaldo "Ozzie" Grenardo, MD, MBA, MSHA
Graphic Designer
Kim Sharp-Leyba

CEAL Contacts

Donald Nease, MD
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Ricardo Gonzalez-Fisher, MD
Servicios de La Raza
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