PAGE 8 January 2021
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When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, there's
good news and bad news. The good news is that
according to a recent report, nearly half of
individuals served by community health centers
could potentially be eligible for Phase 1A COVID-19
immunizations, per state and federal priority
guidelines, due to advanced age or underlying
health conditions that put them at higher risk.
Community Health Centers are deemed as the
CDC's priority partners because these organizations
serve the lion's share of the nation's underserved
population in both urban and rural areas. In a
recent press conference, Missouri Governor Mike
Parson said vaccines will be delivered to the state
later this month, with enough to complete Phase
1A.
As for the bad news, many rural and/or Republican-leaning
individuals remain reticent about getting vaccinated – even as
COVID-19 cases continue to surge. Key findings from KFF's
COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor indicate that 25% of Republicans say
they will "definitely not" get the vaccine, another 33% say they
want to "wait and see", and 10% say that will get vaccinated
"only if it is required."
Although vaccine hesitancy is loosening across nearly all
demographic groups, misinformation and bogus content on
social media platforms, and other news sources, continue to
make it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. accessHealth
News will continue to provide unbiased information about the
COVID-19 vaccine to support credible public information to help
its readers make informed decisions about the vaccine.
Just the Facts Q & A
How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?
The COVID-19 vaccine has been years in the making. Although
new to the public, some records indicate this science-based
messenger RNA (mRNA) technology is more than a decade old.
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been authorized to use this
mRNA technology which allows a person who receives this
genetic code of the coronavirus to use their own body and own
cells to manufacture a protein to protect itself against the virus.
By Tonia Wright, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
A Just-the-Facts Look
Local Community Health Center Submits Application for Vaccinator Site Status
at the Pfizer and Moderna
COVID-19 Vaccines
