MILWAUKEE, Wis. – As Omicron continues to spread rapidly throughout the country, more children are being hospitalized with COVID-19 than ever before.
A compelling new television ad campaign targeting African American families aims to address vaccine hesitancy and encourages African American families to get children five and older vaccinated.
The new ads feature pediatrician Dr. Nina S. Ford Johnson, FAAP. Dr. Ford Johnson is president of the Medical Society of Mobile County. In addition to being a trusted medical professional, she is a mother first.
“With COVID affecting Black kids at a higher rate, the risks from COVID far outweigh any risks from side effects of the vaccine,” she says in the commercial. “It’s the best protection for my kids and for yours.”
Dr. Ford has served as a pediatrician and advocate for families for over eight years and has been a go-to voice for children’s health during the pandemic. This national campaign is by moms and for moms who have concerns about vaccinating their children. She recently addressed important questions about vaccinating children ages 5-11.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, even for children who don’t get very sick, a COVID-19 infection could still cause health problems down the road. Children can also spread the virus to someone who is at risk for severe illness—like a grandparent, someone at church, or a teacher at school. The vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19.
To learn more about the We Can Do This campaign and to access helpful resources, visit wecandothis.hhs.gov/.
CDC recommends everyone ages five and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. Learn more about vaccinations for children on the CDC’s website.
To learn more about vaccinations, including for children ages five to 11, and other information about the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) COVID-19 Public Education Campaign, visit We Can Do This at <wecandothis.hhs.gov>.
