In this episode of REACHing for Vaccine Equity, learn from a community health leader who addressed generational mistrust of vaccines with education and compassion in rural Alabama. In the "Building Vaccine Trust in the Rural South" episode, hear Na'Sha DeRamus, REACH COVID/Flu Vaccination Coordinator for The Wellness Coalition, share how her team boosted trust in COVID-19 and flu vaccines through outreach and education. This project worked to reach African American adults in Macon, Montgomery, and Lowndes Counties in Alabama to improve vaccine access and vaccine confidence.

In this episode hosted by AIM iREACH project Public Health Consultant Lisa Jacques-Carroll:

• Get tips to problem-solve unique challenges of vaccine access, delivery, and implementation in rural communities.
• Learn how The Wellness Coalition used trusted messengers and community partners to organize vaccination clinics and collaborate with existing community events.
• Get inspired by a shining moment of building relationships in a rural setting to boost confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Hear how The Wellness Coalition leveraged trust in the flu vaccine to raise COVID-19 vaccination rates by lending a listening ear to make people feel comfortable and confident in the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.

About Na'Sha:

Na'Sha DeRamus is from the small town of Billingsley, Alabama. She attended Troy University in Troy, AL, and received her Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism and her Master's degree in strategic communication. She started working in public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. With her experience in communications, she has connected with community members through transparent conversations and has promoted health and wellness through radio and news interviews.

Connect and Links:

The Wellness Coalition website

About the Podcast:

REACHing for Vaccine Equity is a limited series podcast hosted by the iREACH team at the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM). This series of informative episodes discusses how individuals living with chronic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, clinical depression, and more, can continue to thrive with the preventative power of getting vaccinated and adopting healthy behaviors. Each episode will provide examples of vaccine equity initiatives for specific health conditions and share tips for community leaders on reaching and supporting diverse communities to achieve health and vaccine equity. Meet iREACH recipients who will share successful strategies they've used in their communities, their challenges, and the health inequities they are working to overcome.

AIM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to establishing a nation free of vaccine-preventable diseases and eliminating health disparities. Visit our website ImmunizationManagers.org to get resources to help your community thrive. This podcast series is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All episodes were recorded and produced in 2023.

Make sure to subscribe to the REACHing for Vaccine Equity podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to hear about the intersection of vaccination and other critical health topics, including kidney disease, heart disease, food insecurity, diabetes, lung disease, obesity/nutrition, pregnancy/breastfeeding, and healthcare access/community sustainability.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generously funds this podcast series. All episodes will be recorded and produced in 2023 to contain the most recent health information.