Success at a Glance

The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health (IAMH) has partnered with local NAACP chapters across Mississippi to reach more rural counties and provide free access to the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as PPE, diapers, feminine hygiene products, and a range of educational materials. IAMH recently hosted a health fair in Amite County, MS. Rural counties are often underserved and can experience health disparities as a result of low access to services. The Amite County health fair allowed over...

On April 9, 2022, Project EMPOWER of BEAT AIDS hosted a health fair called Viva La Fiesta. In contrast to more traditional fairs, this event delivered educational resources, screenings, and vaccinations in conjunction with a dramatic performance by Drag Queen Sasha Taylor Lord. Community members and partner organizations donated food and prizes, and a collaborator posed as “Max the Vax”—a human vaccination character who worked the crowd, sharing information about the importance of vaccination...

The team at the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation believes that one of the best ways to reach vaccine-hesitant people is through the arts. They created a campaign featuring two colorful puppet characters, Bo and Momo, who speak about issues related to vaccine hesitancy including fear, judgement, and family disagreements. The two characters were featured in the organization’s short YouTube videos, social media posts and various signs and flyers. Through partnerships with the Asian...

In April 2022, the Philippine Nurses Association of Michigan conducted an educational webinar that included a youth forum on how to best address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The panel was made up of five student leaders who shared their pandemic experiences along with their perspectives on how to effectively communicate information about the vaccines. The students suggested engaging in one-on-one dialogue and practicing active listening. One of the youth leaders also recommended using the...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when anti-Asian harassment and discrimination skyrocketed in the United States, the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce (CACC) in Twin Cities, MN knew decisive action was needed. The increase in anti-Asian harassment left Asian Pacific Minnesotans distrustful of the government and negatively impacted vaccination efforts. In order to support their community through this difficult time, CACC went to work, providing safe and trusted environments for community members...

Ser Familia has been providing COVID-19 and influenza education and vaccination among Latinos who reside in the Atlanta Metro Area, with a special focus on those who have Limited English Proficiency. One of their community members, 66-year-old Mrs. E. Gonzalez, said that she had heard many wild theories about the vaccines, including the myth that the vaccines were going to be used to track undocumented people. She was being actively discouraged from getting the COVID-19 vaccine by some friends...

OLA of Eastern Long Island in New York has been working to bring COVID-19 vaccines to the most isolated areas of Long Island’s East End—a semi-rural resort area made up of small hamlets and villages. They are particularly proud of their vaccination event held on September 14, 2021, in the hamlet of Montauk located within the Town of East Hampton. For this event, they partnered with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and East Hampton town to provide vaccines at the Montauk Playhouse—a large...

Friends of Refugees partnered with Ethne Health for a “Lunch & Learn” event for women in the Afghan community to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.  Over 30 women attended and said they felt safe and comfortable asking questions. Friends of Refugees Community Engagement Manager Muzhda Oriakhil helped bring this group together and brought her own nursing baby to show other mothers in attendance how safe the vaccine is for nursing women.

Project Access Now focuses on filling gaps in the health care system, ensuring underserved individuals in the Portland, Oregon metro area have access to health care and services. But succeeding at this work can be an uphill climb. After one of their vaccination events at a local community center resulted in a low turnout, their vaccine provider backed out 3 days before their next event. The staff at Project Access Now sprang into action and contacted their state partner, the Oregon Health...