The Biden administration enlisted a “community corps” of sports leagues, churches and labor unions Thursday to promote the COVID-19 vaccine as eligibility widens rapidly and officials start to think about the point when supply will outstrip demand.
It also rolled out a series of ads that will run on broadcast and cable channels during April in a bid to combat vaccine hesitancy as the U.S. pushes to immunize at least 70% of the population.
“In some communities — some of our hardest-hit communities — it’s too hard to access the vaccine or get information about it. And we have to be honest about that,” Vice President Kamala Harris told enlisted partners in a virtual meeting. “In some communities, there is a concern about getting vaccinated — some based on mistrust, based on history. Some [is] rooted in misinformation, of which there is a lot out there, and we need your help to combat that.”
Roughly 30% of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and more than 16% is fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The rollout had been limited to select groups. But more states are opening eligibility to all adults within their borders, offering the first real test of interest. Immunization managers say there are signs of decreasing demand in some places.
“I think it’s all hands on deck now. Need to get businesses, community organizations, private doctors, church groups — everyone we can — to start talking about getting vaccinated,” said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers.
In places such as Arkansas, demand is higher in the northwest than in other parts of the state.
“Some parts of the state and clinics may have available appointments. Because we just opened eligibility to Arkansans 16 and older this week, it is too soon to tell if demand is slowing down,” said Meg Mirivel, the communications director at the state health department. “We do think hesitancy and access are factors, and we are working with communities to increase access across the state for all populations. We are also using educational campaigns and community leaders to address hesitancy.”
Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services said the federal campaign is rolling out now because they wanted to wait until more people were eligible for the shots before prodding people to make an appointment. Top aides in the Trump administration made similar comments last year when asked why they weren’t advertising the vaccines upon their debut last year.
A series of polls have suggested Republican men are among the most reluctant to get vaccinated, prompting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to single them out Thursday while discussing vaccination in Owensboro, Kentucky.
“As a Republican man, I wasn’t reluctant to get it when I was eligible, and I would encourage everybody to [get vaccinated],” said Mr. McConnell, who represents the state.
A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found 17% of people are in “wait-and-see” mode over the vaccine, suggesting they can be prodded to roll up their sleeves. However, 13% of Americans said they would “definitely not” get the vaccine.
Roughly 3 in 10 Republicans said they will refuse the vaccine, compared to 9% of independents and 5% of Democrats, according to the foundation.
NASCAR signed onto the White House’s community corps program, a notable addition as the poll also showed that 20% of rural residents are resistant.
Evangelical and Catholic groups are also part of the Biden coalition after some religious leaders questioned Johnson & Johnson’s use of an abortion-derived cell line for its vaccine.
The administration is working with 275 organizations to mobilize community leaders, athletes, scientists and others to promote vaccination. Federal officials point to research that shows Americans want to hear from doctors, family members or other trusted voices in deciding whether to come forward.
“They’re going to look to you,” Ms. Harris told the corps members assembled, “Hollywood Squares”-style, on a TV screen.
She said the corps will underscore the safety and efficacy of the vaccine while holding “Share the Mic” Q&A sessions online to answer questions people have about what’s in the shots and how they work.
The team includes a long list of faith organizations, unions and groups representing minorities, including the NAACP, and top sports and entertainment groups such as Major League Baseball and the National Football League.
The urgency of the campaign is underscored by a daily case count that is pinned above 60,000 — a dangerously high baseline — after weeks of steady declines earlier in the year.
President Biden asked faith leaders on Thursday to get their most skeptical community members vaccinated. He also said they should wear masks and not get too “cavalier” about the virus, especially if traveling.
“They’re going to listen to your words, more than they are me, as president of the United States,” Mr. Biden said in a midday phone call.
The administration also released 30-second ads Thursday featuring photos of people fighting through the pandemic and getting vaccinated. Soulful and uplifting lyrics backed by an organ or piano let viewers know it’s “gonna be all right.”
A Spanish-language spot is titled “Un Rayo de Esperanza,” or “A Ray of Hope.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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