The virtual Forum, Vaccine Hesitancy in the Commonwealth: Tailoring the Message to Move the Needle, was held from 12-1:35 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, 2021.
Now that we have turned the corner from vaccine scarcity to a plentiful supply, the focus shifts to overcoming hesitancy issue among vulnerable communities and those that doubt the safety and value of the COVID-19 vaccine. While the CDC reports Massachusetts has one of the lowest vaccine hesitancy rates in the nation, more work is needed to reach herd immunity and a new normal state. Discussion will focus on the best strategies with particular attention to outreach in the Black and Latino communities, among conservative Republicans and individuals living in more rural areas of the state.
This event is co-sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. It was also made possible by generous funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Baystate Health.