Webinar panelists dispel COVID vaccine misinformation

By Nelson Santiago

Building on our work to stem misinformation, Consumer Action was ready to participate in the effort to educate consumers on distinguishing between COVID-19 vaccine fact and fiction. In addition to developing two related fact sheets, Consumer Action held a highly successful train-the-trainer webinar, The truth about COVID-19 vaccines: Distinguishing between vaccine fact and fiction, in September. Nearly 200 people attended the webinar live, and close to 700 had viewed the recording on our YouTube channel as of mid-October.

“It's remarkable that we were able to bring so many doctors together under one virtual roof,” reflected Community Outreach and Training Manager Linda Williams. “We are so thankful to the participating doctors who hailed from different parts of the country and generously spent part of their day helping to inform our community partners.”

The lineup of speakers was indeed impressive: medical doctors and Ph.D.s from UCLA, Mary's Center (D.C.), Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta), the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Not only generous with their time, the experts went to great lengths to answer every last question during the Q&A, even addressing wacky beliefs like how the vaccine shots inserted “nano chips” into recipients. (Hint: They don’t!)

The team from UCLA presented the results of their research on the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy, the process of vaccine deliberation, and acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccines among high-risk multiethnic groups within Los Angeles County. UCLA's Dr. Lisa Mansfield, Ph.D., RN, said the research helped them learn about the need to collaborate, invest in and empower trusted community leaders, resulting in UCLA's effective Get Out the Vaccine campaign.

Two other UCLA team members, Keith C. Norris, MD, Ph.D. and Arleen Brown, MD, Ph.D., focused their presentations on dispelling common COVID-19 myths.

During her presentation, Maria L. Marquez, MD and American Academy of Pediatrics fellow, of Mary’s Center in Washington, D.C., quickly revealed that she is a serious member of the vaccine cheering squad, explaining that pediatricians like herself believe in prevention and “use these marvelous tools” to make sure the children they serve have wonderful adult lives and maximize their capacities, health and well-being. (In Washington D.C., children 12 and older can provide their own consent to get the COVID-19 vaccine.)

In a final “rapid fire” segment of the webinar, speakers delivered key information about how COVID-19 has impacted the states of Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas. All are active in their state's Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities coalition.

Pebbles Fagan, Ph.D., M.P.H., from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences explained that outreach efforts in Arkansas are focused on people who are on the fence about the vaccine and who may not have enough information to make an informed decision.

Caroline E. Compretta, Ph.D., with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, spent some time discussing how high rates of food insecurity and chronic disease have exacerbated the impact of COVID-19 in Mississippi. The Mississippi Community Engagement Alliance, which Dr. Compretta leads, is working hard to increase vaccinations in the state.

Tabia Henry Akintobi, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the Morehouse School of Medicine, explained that the Georgia Community Engagement Alliance, which she leads, is working with community-based organizations, clinicians, researchers, public health departments, and other stakeholders to leverage their networks to increase vaccine confidence and uptake.