While vaccines are critical to our ability to achieve widespread immunity in our communities, including those hardest hit by COVID, there are reasons for concern that vaccine distribution will not be as widespread in many BIPOC communities, because of a lack of effective distribution, challenges sharing information about vaccines and eligibility, and hesitancy in some communities over concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy.
The resources on this page are an effort to compile information from numerous efforts across the state to communicate the importance of vaccination, dispel myths and share truths about COVID-19 vaccine safety. If you have resources to add to this page, contact Julia Howard by email by clicking here.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts centralizes most of its information on the vaccine rollout, timeline, and information about the vaccine The State of Massachusetts centralizes most of its information on vaccine rollout, timeline and related information on its COVID-19 portal. Key links to information and the state's Vaxfinder system are below.
The Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health and a number of other statewide and local organizations have launched comprehensive campaigns to provide vaccine related information. The exact kinds and types of information vary for each campaign, but are broken out in more detail below.
The Trust the Facts. Get the Vax. campaign is a statewide multimedia effort to reduce anxiety, dispel misinformation, and create more widespread acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccines. In addition to a website, the campaign includes a series of PSAs, an explanation of the vaccine development process and safety guidelines, and more.
Example Materials:
PSAs and Animated Videos (EN/SP/ASL)
Vaccine FAQs
The Massachusetts Health Council's website Protected Together is designed to inform Massachusetts residents about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. It explores the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people of color, along with FAQs, and exploration of vaccine misconceptions and explanations of the vaccine development process.
Example Materials:
Dispelling Misconceptions
How Vaccines Work
The Vaccine Development Process
The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers has prepared materials for health care providers to share with patients about COVID-19 vaccines. Prepared in English and eight other languages, the FAQ-style materials answer questions about the science and process of vaccines, and dispel myths about vaccination efforts.
Example Materials:
Questions and Concerns
Tips for Talking with Patients
The Boston Public Health Commission has set up COVID-19 Vaccine pages on their website, including FAQ in 10 languages, and a listing of upcoming community presentations (as available). The Commission's COVID-19 pages also include many other materials in multiple languages about safety during COVID.
Example Materials:
Vaccine FAQ (English)
Community Presentations
Vaccine FAQs:
Mass.gov - Dept. of Public Health
Boston Public Health Commission
Mass. League of Communtity Health Centers
Mass. Health and Hospital Association
Massachusetts Health Council
US Centers for Disease Control
Graphics and Handouts:
Mass.gov - "Trust the Facts..." materials
*includes fliers on vaccine, timeline and more
Mass. DPH: Trust the Facts. Get the Vax.
Doctor testimonials and animated videos
Protected Together
2-minute PSA story on COVID
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Mass.
2-minute PSA explaining vaccine safety, process
Mass. DPH is also running messages on radio/TV, including messages in Spanish, Portugese and Haitian Creole
“The Conversation: Between Us, About Us”
50 FAQ videos by Black doctors, nurses, and researchers to dispel misinformation about the vaccine, and is facilitated by stand-up comedian W. Kamau Bell and developed by the Black Coalition against COVID with support from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the California Health Care Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund, and Sierra Health Foundation
Dimock Staff and the Vaccine:
Frontline Dimock staff and some patients have begun receiving the Moderna vaccine. Learn more about their experiences here.
WBUR Town Hall, Fact Up! Your Vaccine Questions Answered with Dr. Charles Anderson & Dr. Sabrina Assoumou.
Click above for the link to video.
Mass. DPH - Vaccine education and outreach materials
Graphics, fliers, and posters in multiple languages on topics such as:
MLCHC - COVID-19 vaccine resources for health centers to use with patients.
In addition, a number of organizations are running digital ads and PSAs in multiple languages on television, radio and social media platforms.
MA Department of Public Health
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube
LinkedIn
Twitter
Hashtags: #TrustTheFacts, #GetTheVax, #COVID19MA, #CovidVaccine
Boston Public Health Commission
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Youtube
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Twitter
Facebook
Hashtags: #VaccineTrust, #VaccineEquity, #GetVaccinated
Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association
Twitter
Facebook
Youtube