While cases of the disease increase every day in the United States, vaccination rates remain low, especially in vulnerable communities. Ethnic Media Services (EMS) organized a press conference with medical specialists not only to debunk scientific “false news” but also, and above all, to dismantle the “social fears” installed by the press to generate distrust.
Sandy Close, director and founder of EMS, opened the conference, commenting that “a new hybrid variant of Covid, XEC, has emerged in 25 states, and experts predict it will cause a surge in cases this fall. The updated mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are now available, along with the reformulated Novavax. But are they capable of protecting us against this variant? Added to this are the low vaccination rates in Latino and communities of color, in addition to the false information emerging from Florida about the ineffectiveness of mRNA vaccines for older adults.”
The guest speakers were doctors Peter Chin Hong, specialist in infectious diseases University of California; the doctor Benjamin Neumann, professor of biology at Texas A&M University and the doctor Daniel Turner-Lloveras, co-founder and CEO of HealthCon Tech y The Latino Health Innovation Alliance(LHIA).
Low vaccination rate
-What about the dangers of the XEC variant in the country?
Doctor Chin Hong: “In recent times, the numbers of infections have increased in Europe and that is why people think that XEC can become widespread in the United States. But that has not happened yet, although it may happen this winter. We already had a new strain in 2023 and something similar happened; so we do not believe that this strain brings more serious consequences, especially if we are vaccinated.”
-What is your opinion about the updated vaccines?
Doctor Benjamin Neuman: -Many think that vaccines are bad and that is why they must always be updated, but that is not the case. They must be updated because the virus changes permanently; Therefore, the antibodies from the vaccine will protect us for 4 to 6 months. The vaccine we were using was replaced in the summer by another variant, GN1. mRNA vaccines are newer and more effective; but if the virus moves elsewhere, maybe the Novavax is better. At the moment, this disease is not combated with a vaccine that you get only once in your life, and immunity does not last forever. And it is very important to update the vaccination.
“Many think that vaccines are bad and that is why they must always be updated, but that is not the case. You have to update them because the virus changes permanently; Therefore, the antibodies in the vaccine will protect us for four to six months.”
Doctor Benjamin Newman
Health and minority communities
Next, the Dr. Turner-Lloveras answered questions about health and social vulnerability.
-There is a very low vaccination rate in communities of color. How is this explained?
-This has not changed since the start of the pandemic, and once again we must talk about equity and trust. We must keep in mind that these communities have been victims of misinformation and that, in many of their neighborhoods, there is only one clinic. Add to this the language barriers, and the answer to lack of vaccination is simple.
-Is there a media campaign to generate distrust?
-Totally, and it is difficult to accept the vaccine if the information that reaches one is not trustworthy and if that community has been betrayed, it is normal for them to doubt. As in times of pandemic, there should be an affordable vaccine and places to go. I think we have improved a lot, but it is still not enough. In communities where wages are below the poverty line, there should be full and free vaccination through some issue.
-Afro and Latino parents get vaccinated, but do not take their children. How is this paradox explained?
-There is a healthy concern that these communities have for their children, especially in California. In fact, California is an anti-vaccine state for children, more than any other, since they do not want to give their children anything that has to do with experimentation. But this can be reversed with information and trust. Consistent information is needed. If the experts sound confused, we have a problem.
“Many of the vulnerable communities have been victims of misinformation, and in many of their neighborhoods there is only one clinic. If we add to this the language barrier, the answer to the lack of vaccination is simple. In communities where wages are below the poverty line, there should be complete and free vaccination through some problem.”
Doctor Turner-Lloveras
Distrust and technophobia
-How to convince someone to get vaccinated when that person fears dying from the vaccine?
Doctor Turner-Loveras: -When you look at Covid 19, you see that the disease is a thousand times worse than previous fears. I saw a 35-year-old man who could not walk again like a normal person due to a stroke that occurred during Covid. There is a lot of misinformation and bad communication. People don’t know that the vaccine does not prevent the arrival of Covid but rather gives you an antibody so that, when the virus arrives, the symptoms are much milder.
Doctor Neuman: -It is not easy to fight against doubts and technophobia. There are groups that are saying that vaccines are not safe for Asian minorities, or that they have very bad effects on African Americans. Vaccines came to make us better and to prevent, and in fact they do.
Doctor Ching-Hong: -I am originally from Trinidad, and an opposition leader there was saying about the possible bad effects of the vaccine, but without medical basis. When you have someone famous saying this, it’s a hard thing to take back. When someone disagrees with me, I try to find out why with humble questions, to find out why they think that way. The vaccine is so related to political thoughts that you have to be very careful.
“It is not easy to fight doubts and technophobia. There are groups that are saying that vaccines are not safe for Asian minorities or that they have very bad effects on African Americans. “The vaccines came so that we are better.”
Doctor Benjamin Newman
Covid and politics
-What relationship does Covid have with politics?
Doctor Neuman: -Covid is not interested in politics, even if your political perspective is interested in Covid. And, for now, the only solution is for everyone to get vaccinated. A week ago they questioned the effects of the vaccine in people over 60 years of age. It is a statement that arose from an experiment with rats. We must be careful with these generalizations, tending to disregard the effects of the vaccine.
Doctor Ching Hoo: -It breaks my heart to see the way in which politics has infiltrated minority populations, to the point of negatively impacting them, being the most vulnerable. This has prevented us doctors from caring for people as we would like. We must regain the trust of minority communities and personalize communication. Not only must we report the new variants but also show the possible solutions. Many continue to say that the vaccine is an invention of Bill Gates.
Doctor Turner-Lloveras: -In California there was a rumor that said “the vaccine can change your gender.” And that was taken very seriously by many people. In my opinion, doctors have to address these issues publicly and deny them with reasons.
“COVID is not interested in politics, even if your political perspective is interested in COVID. Right now, the only solution is for everyone to get vaccinated. A week ago, they questioned the effects of the vaccine in people over 60 years of age. It is a statement that arose from an experiment with rats. We must be careful with these generalizations, tending to disregard the effects of the vaccine.”
Doctor Benjamin Newman
Possible solutions
-What would be the possible solutions to generate trust?
Doctor Neuman: -It is urgent that state and federal governments reinforce the message. And one of the most important messages is that vaccines are not forever. If you look at Influenza, for example, last year there were four strains and now there are only three. Public health changes lives and that is why I embraced this vocation.
Doctor Hoong: -Traditionally, public health has not received money at the level it deserves, and we are a society much more focused on treatment than prevention. It is important that government and federal agencies invest more money in prevention, and not just the private companies that manufacture vaccines. Many say “it is easy for you to be in favor of the vaccine because famous companies, like Pfizer or Moderna, pay you.” And it makes sense that people associate those two things. We need more diverse messaging from multiple sources and multiple platforms.
Doctor Turner Lloveras: -It is not only about creating better messages but also about generating structures for long-term systemic changes. We need to support initiatives and campaigns that come from the community, because they generate trust, but most of the funds come from organizations. We must listen to and support the community more, because those who are closest to the problem are the ones who have the keys to solve it. We must invest in local leaders. Community-led change is always sustainable.
“Traditionally, public health has not received money at the level it deserves, and we are a society much more focused on treatment than prevention. It is important that government and federal agencies invest more in prevention, and not just the private companies that manufacture vaccines. Many say “it is easy for you to be in favor of the vaccine because famous companies, like Pfizer or Moderna, pay you.” It makes sense that people associate those two things. “We need more diverse messaging from multiple sources and multiple platforms.”
Doctor Peter Chin Hong
