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New campaign launched to increase COVID-19 vaccinations among Harris Co. minorities

By and
Updated  February 4, 2021 6:29pm CST
Harris County
FOX 26 Houston

Harris County Judge launches Stay Smart, Do Your Part campaign

There is a lot of hesitancy in Harris County residents in getting the COVID-19 vaccine. So Judge Lina Hidalgo is launching the Stay Smart, Do You Part campaign in the hopes of changing that.

HARRIS COUNTY - Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced a new campaign designed to address hesitancy among county residents regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The new campaign called "Stay Smart, Do Your Part" will push Harris County residents to learn more about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, staying home and avoiding gatherings. The Stay Smart, Do Your Part campaign is aimed at highlighting the community's role in helping the region to recover from the pandemic and get the economy moving again.

Some of the things you'll see in the "Stay Smart. Do Your Part." Campaign video include animated characters talking to one another. "Is the vaccine safe? Yes. The vaccine has been approved by the FDA".

The campaign video goes on to say "How do we know the vaccine works? Each vaccine is evaluated in clinical trials and is approved only if it makes it substantially less likely you'll get COVID-19."

FULL VIDEO: Judge Hidalgo discusses COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

Harris County Judge Lena Hidalgo announces the launch of a new program aimed at getting more minority residents to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

"We definitely need to trust in the science. These vaccines have been developed but the technology by which these vaccines were developed is not new technology. This MRNA technology has been around for more than 30 years," says Harris County Public Health Dr. Sherry Onyiego.

"Whatever side effects you've heard about, they're not worse than being on a ventilator or dying because of COVID," Hidalgo adds.

"Each of us who live in Harris County are interconnected and we can only reach herd immunity if those who are still undecided about receiving the COVID-19 take action to protect themselves and their neighbors," said Judge Hidalgo.

The Stay Smart, Do Your Part campaign also takes aim at communities of color in Harris County. According to a recent national survey consisting of minority groups and supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, almost 40% of respondents would refuse vaccination if offered one today or are undecided about whether they would accept getting a vaccine at some point.  

Harris County's "Stay Smart. Do Your Part." campaign features mask-wearing, social-distancing characters who come in all shades.

"The same communities that are hardest hit by the virus are the communities that are most hesitant to receive the vaccine. It impacts particularly Black and Hispanic communities, which have been hammered by this virus," says Judge Hidalgo who says people getting vaccinated in the county are disproportionately White and Asian, which includes frontline workers.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS ON THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE

A breakdown of COVID-19 vaccine distributions

Vaccine distribution has become frustrating for a lot of people who need to get the shot. Now, the Harris County Health Department has some data showing which populations are still not getting these shots.

The county launched a new "Smart Waitlist" system that allows residents to be placed on a waitlist and selected randomly once vaccines and appointments are available. The waitlist is available via the vaccine information link on ReadyHarris.org.

Residents without internet access can also call 832-927-8787 between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday to register.  Registrants on the waitlist will instead be selected through a prioritization and randomization process in accordance with state guidelines.