Indian American officials rope in public health, athletic, faith groups to promote Covid-19 shots.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy kicked off a new Biden administration effort to promote Covid-19 shots as it seeks to overcome vaccine hesitancy.
The two Indian American officials virtually met Thursday with more than 275 inaugural members of the community corps, a coalition of community, religious and celebrity partners.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ new “We Can Do This” campaign features television and social media ads.
READ: Kamala Harris to win people of color to get covid jabs (February 1, 2021)
But it also relies on a community corps of public health, athletic, faith and other groups to spread the word about the safety and efficacy of the three approved coronavirus vaccines.
Talking about racial inequalities in the US healthcare system, Harris said, “When we look at the rates of infection and death in the Asian community, in the African American community, Latinos, our native community, the numbers are really unacceptable and tragic.”
“In terms of the impact on these communities, of course, profound,” she said noting this is something that the administration has been addressing.
“We have a Racial Equity Task Force that is very much a part of our whole approach to this,” Harris said stressing the importance of equitable distribution of resources and support.”
READ: Vivek Murthy named co-chair of Biden covid-19 advisory board (November 9, 2020)
Harris also applauded Murthy for his tireless efforts “for months and months, working on this issue” in the fight against coronavirus pandemic.
“So, in front of everyone, I want to thank you, Vivek, for all you have been doing to lift us up as a nation and to also lift up the importance of following the science and the fact that we are in this together, and so lifting up the power and significance of the collective,” Harris said.
Earlier, introducing Harris, Murthy described her as “one of our nation’s most important leaders. One who has broken barriers and lifted up communities, a leader who is kind, and strong, and who inspired millions of people, including myself and a daughter, who called her Kamala auntie.”
“To serve as a surgeon, in my role, I’m charged with looking out for the health and well-being of each and every American. I consider this to be as a sacred responsibility, particularly in this great moment. When we are living through a once in a century,” he said.
Noting that millions of Americans have suffered due to the coronavirus with many of them losing family members, Murthy said, “I myself have lost seven, including my uncle earlier this year.”
“Many of us have also felt what it’s like to be worried about your loved ones getting killed, especially family members of ours who are elderly, or who might work on the frontlines,” he said.