If the United States is to achieve herd immunity, 75% to 85% of the population will need to be vaccinated, and many barriers must be overcome to get there. Some Americans are reluctant to get the vaccine because they distrust government or the safety of the vaccines or believe in widespread conspiracy theories. Views about the vaccines also differ based on religion and political party affiliation. Join us for a virtual discussion that explores questions around challenges to herd immunity: What are the extent and limitations of our ethical obligations to promote broad-based vaccine acceptance and to ensure access to all Americans? And what communications approaches and health policies are likely to be most effective? The event, which will take place on April 20, 1 PM Eastern Time, features Rhea Boyd, a pediatrician, public health advocate, and scholar who focuses on the relationship between structural racism, inequity, and health; Maya Goldenberg, author of a new book on vaccine hesitancy; and Hastings Center President Mildred Solomon. Learn more and register.
 

In an interview with NBC News, Hastings Center research scholar Nancy Berlinger responded to the disclosure from the Golden State Warriors basketball team that some players and coaches got early access to Covid-19 vaccinations. “There are plenty of people in California, who have chronic illness, who have disabilities, who have barriers to vaccination, who are still waiting to get vaccinated,” said Berlinger. “Since the team said this happened, they should be transparent about how they got access.” Read the NBC News article. 

Hastings Center senior advisor Faith Fletcher coauthored a commentary on NPR Shots: “5 Ways to Make the Vaccine Rollout More Equitable.” The recommendations are: 1) Recognize the barriers to equitable, quality health care. 2) Acknowledge, respect, and address concerns about vaccination. 3) Empower choices with truth and transparency. 4) Engage trusted community leaders. 5) Enlist trusted messengers to create and deliver the message. Achieving a more equitable vaccine rollout “starts with respecting and deeply listening to the people most affected,” the commentary states. Read the NPR Shots commentary.