AHA launches video campaign encouraging unvaccinated providers to get vaccinated

Photo: Zoran Mircetic/Getty Images

The American Hospital Association has launched a video campaign that seeks to convince unvaccinated healthcare workers and other members of the public to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The newly released public service announcements include short videos directed toward physicians, nurses and regular people on the fence about getting the vaccine.

In the one for healthcare providers, three different clinicians share their reasons for getting inoculated, saying they wanted to protect their family and community. Another, targeted at vaccine-hesitant populations, features people talking about their misconceptions of the vaccine before a doctor enters to provide more reliable information.

All of the PSAs encourage people to ask questions and get the facts from trusted sources like their healthcare provider.

The videos, which are also available with Spanish subtitles, can be accessed on the AHA's vaccine confidence webpage along with its other resources.

WHY THIS MATTERS

As of Wednesday, the U.S. has vaccinated 51.7% of its total population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite having more than half of the population fully vaccinated, CDC data shows that COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise. The increase has been largely attributed to the highly contagious Delta variant, which currently makes up 98.8% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Although the CDC says that breakthrough infections of the Delta variant happen, its largest concern is for unvaccinated individuals. It points to data showing patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely to have severe illness than patients infected with other strains of COVID-19.

THE LARGER TREND

COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. first hit the market under emergency use authorization in December and have been widely available since April. Earlier this week, the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech shot, which will now be marketed as Comirnaty.

Even though the vaccines have shown to be safe and effective, a substantial portion of the country remains hesitant to get the jab as vaccination rates lag in certain states and among younger people.

This campaign is hardly the first to attempt to boost vaccination rates.

For one, the federal government is providing the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge or with no cost-sharing for all Americans. It also created the COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund to reimburse providers for uncompensated costs associated with administering the vaccine.

The Biden administration also created a number of digital tools to make it easier to get the vaccine, including multilingual texting services, websites and call numbers.

Some states started offering lottery prizes for people who got the jab, although a recent study found that these bonuses were not effective at increasing vaccination rates.

Social media companies have also contributed to the effort. For example, Facebook provides users with state-specific vaccine information, YouTube has a PSA campaign of its own and dating apps now offer perks to their vaccinated swipers.

Twitter: @HackettMallory
Email the writer: mhackett@himss.org