Working with Diverse Partners Is Key to SSM Health鈥檚 COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts

Serving communities in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Oklahoma, SSM Health is focusing efforts on reaching people who still have not received the COVID-19 vaccine. The health system鈥檚 comprehensive approach includes listening to and addressing people鈥檚 concerns about vaccination and working with community partners to build trust and ensure easy access to the vaccine.

SSM Health clinicians and staff are using a variety of approaches in multiple locations. All of this work is becoming increasingly important as the delta variant creates surges in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in some areas of the U.S.

In Madison, Wis., SSM teams have partnered with the Sable Flames, an organization of African-American firefighters in the county, the Urban League of Greater Madison, churches and other local organizations to make the COVID-19 more accessible to communities of color. The firefighters volunteered to help administer the vaccines at the Urban League offices.

Firefighter Brandon Jones explained why he volunteered to help, in : 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 imperative now more than ever to go ahead and protect yourself and get that vaccine. 鈥 It鈥檚 really good to come down here and be an advocate that looks like the demographic that鈥檚 coming in here 鈥 and advocate for this vaccine. 鈥 It can help save lives.鈥

In Missouri, as of late June, the percentage of people fully vaccinated was 39%, well under the national average of 47%. Kenneth Haller, M.D., a pediatrician at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children鈥檚 Hospital in St. Louis, shared tips for encouraging people to get vaccinated, in an . Haller explained the importance of listening to people鈥檚 doubts and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine, validating their feelings and emotion, and asking questions. 鈥淚 think by just letting ourselves be vulnerable and generous to other people, that can open a space for them to do the same for us.鈥 He added: 鈥淢y task in my office is to say, 鈥楾ell me exactly what your thought is: What are you afraid of? What are the things you鈥檝e heard?鈥 Because then I can say, 鈥極h, yeah, I鈥檝e heard that too. And yes, I鈥檝e heard it鈥檚 very scary.鈥 鈥 If we can be vulnerable in presenting that message, then that allows people to be vulnerable and say, 鈥極K, maybe I can take the chance of doing this [and get the vaccine].鈥欌

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