Mile High Vaccine Statement 2021
Mile High Medical Society is an organization of Black health care professionals and students, that serves as a resource around health issues pertinent to our community. COVID-19 vaccination is such an important issue that we want to share information and our recommendations. We hope this will increase your understanding and confidence.
This country and the medical establishment have a long legacy of discriminating against and exploiting Black Americans, and this memory remains deeply embedded in the collective consciousness of the Black community. Many Black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers, hospitals or the healthcare system to act in their best interests. Trust is not only a fundamental element to a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship but also a vital factor in a patient’s decision-making to seek-help earlier before diseases advance beyond treatment possibilities.
Vaccine hesitancy in the U.S. stems from systemic racism and lack of trust --- from narrow concerns about specific vaccines to broad coalitions “anti-vaxxers” who reject all vaccines. The root of their sentiments, most without scientific basis run deep. Some of the factors (suspicion) are financial motives of the vaccine industry, mistrust of scientific evidence, and government institutions.
Despite efforts to educate, to reduce prejudice and disparities there is still hesitancy in taking the vaccine for COVID-19. This reluctance is unfortunately, widespread.
We must have a fresh approach and more innovative thinking and behavioral research to build trust and complement authoritative and data-oriented immunization. A lot has been written on the importance of known, trusted messengers of information including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, other health care professionals. But more importantly, community thought leaders like ministers or heads of important community groups must step up and be in the room and take part in the conversation of vaccination and its efficacy and safety.
Taking the COVID-19 vaccine must be stressed by all interested parties on how important the community must be pro-vaccine. We must let the community know how safe, effective, and how trustworthy the information on vaccines is from healthcare providers. The choice is yours, but Mile High Medical Society strongly encourages you to consider taking the vaccine now to level the playing field when it comes to this pandemic.
If you have questions reach out to us on our website- https://milehighmedicalsociety.org/
