Vanguard Vaccination Project

Businesses can be a powerful force in health advocacy in their communities. Jim Weiss, CEO and Founder of Real Chemistry, breaks down how to effectively mobilize different population groups. The formula is simple: listen, get them answers, and let them make their own choices.

Who hasn't heard sinister rumors about COVID? Not just the origin of the disease, but the alleged dangers of vaccination from government control to sterilization. Business leaders need their workforce vaccinated and back in the office or in front of customers. Rumor-fueled resistance to vaccination presents a big problem.Anthropologist Heidi Larson, heads the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her team, which includes psychologists and data analysts, operate like detectives -- tracing the origin of rumors and developing means to combat them.She says that rumors arise from deep anxieties and a need to blame or make sense of a frightening reality. Listen to her conversation with the Vanguard Vaccination Project's Ken Banta.

C-suite leaders are grappling with previously unimaginable legal, ethical and practical issues when considering mandatory vaccination. Renowned ethicist Dr. Art Caplan, describes some of the landmines that leaders need to consider.Originally taped for an audience of Chief Legal Officers and General Counsels, Dr. Caplan's advice is relevant to all those who are making decisions for their workforce.

Hispanic people make up about 20% of the US workforce, and yet they are being vaccinated for COVID at a rate far lower than other Americans. Their rate of disease and death from COVID is disproportionately high.Dr. Felix L. Nunez, board president of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved says that employers have the power to improve this situation. First, understand the historical and cultural reasons behind reluctance to get vaccinated. Second, make vaccination accessible. Third, use trusted sources of information: notably those in white coats: doctors, nurses and public health workers.

The 600,000+ COVID deaths in the US have impacted the lives of countless family members. By understanding the needs of these survivors, and responding to them, employers can make a big difference.Chris Kocher, Executive Director, COVID Survivors for Change, introduces us to two women whose lives -- personal and workplace -- have been profoundly affected by COVID losses.

Covid has taken a terrible toll on minority communities, and brought the issue of health disparities into sharp focus. Gary Puckrein of The National Minority Health Forum says that data analytics, down to the zip code level, can help address the discrepancies.

Vaccination resistance and hesitancy are critical barriers to overcoming COVID. The Center for Sustainable Health Care, has created a powerful communications toolkit, designed to motivate vaccination especially in underserved populations. Dr. Laura Lee Hall presents these comprehensive resources, and how they can be used to boost vaccination rates.

Understanding your audience, and using language that resonates with them, is important in any communication -- and critical when it comes to vaccination. Psychographics expert Casey Albertson of PatientBond, demonstrates how to motivate behavior, from "self achievers" to "willful endurers."

A firm belief that "we all deserve to live and work in a vaccinated environment," led John Moore to mandate vaccination for residents and staff of Atria Senior Living. Getting there required both courage and strategic communication, especially to younger employees, "who just don't have the muscle memory of vaccines saving the world."