In a new video released today, Black members of the National Academy of Medicine are urging Black Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them.
The members initially made their case encouraging Black Americans to get vaccinated in a New York Times op-ed published on February 7, 2021. The scientists, doctors, nurses, public health experts, and other health professionals who make up this group of NAM members say that they have reviewed the research and have confidence in the vaccines.
The group has partnered with YouTube to help both produce and promote the video, which will be featured across the platform and appear on its homepage.
“I am incredibly proud of the group of Black NAM members who put together this powerful message and am honored to stand with them on this issue,” said Victor Dzau, president of the NAM. “We are looking at huge inequities in vaccine access and in vaccine acceptance, especially among Black Americans. We all need to be working to make sure communities at a higher risk for negative health impacts related to COVID-19 feel safe and empowered to get vaccinated.”
The video can be found on YouTube and additional resources may be found on The Skin You’re In; a website and multimedia project dedicated to issues of health equity in the Black community.
