Dr. Cameron Webb 🇺🇸 Archived

Big picture: 1) COVID isn't over, we're just better at managing it 2) Surges are coming. If you stay ready, you ain't gotta get ready 3) Masks/Tests/Vaccines/Treatments are the key. Know when you need them, where to get them, & how to use them (Covid.gov can help)

COVID-19 Fall Plan out today. New, updated vaccines are a centerpiece, yes...but there's more to it. Maximizing access to tests & therapies, encouraging indoor air improvements & mask use based on Covid levels, and preparing for surges & new variants... whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…

Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready… COVID.gov/tests

Bet you can’t order your latest round of 8 free at-home COVID tests (compliments of @POTUS) faster than me… I did it in 38 seconds. What about you? #linkbelow

We have lots of tools—masks, tests, treatments & ventilation. But even w/all those, vaccines remain a primary & critical way to keep people safe. If you have more thoughts improving COVID equity, drop them 👇🏾. Your ideas are always our best, & there’s so much work left to do!

But, as always, the job truly isn’t done. These nat’l stats reflecting equity are great, but we need to see vaccination equity in every community. We need increased & equitable uptake among kids, in disaggregated demographic groups, across geographies and settings. Everywhere.

Working together, this vaccination effort is estimated to have already saved over 2.2M lives & prevented over 17M hospitalizations in the US. Seeing that benefit experienced equitably is not only a cause for celebration, it’s a further call to action. commonwealthfund.org/blog/2022/impa…

Couple that engagement w/the tireless emphasis on ensuring vaccine access & the tailored strategies that make up our Public Education Campaign (#WeCanDoThis), & you see how we’ve been able to reach so many people & fight back so much disinformation. wecandothis.hhs.gov/covid-19-campa…

How did we get here? It’s been a whole-of-society effort! The combination of: ▪️ relatives & friends ▪️ civic leaders ▪️ faith based organizations ▪️ community based orgs ▪️ local trusted messengers ▪️ committed employers ▪️ public health experts ▪️ and government at all levels

Equity isn’t a buzz word or an aspiration…it’s a mission that can & must be achieved. For example, @KFF released its latest COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor (a monthly survey) earlier today. For the 1st time, similar shares of Black, Hispanic, & White adults report receiving a booster.

This COVID #BoosterEquity is a big deal…especially w/the rates of primary series vaccination among Black, Hispanic & White adults being similar since late last summer. It’s about saving lives & keeping people safe—especially those in the hardest-hit & highest risk communities.

As parents make vax decisions for their kids, talking w/trusted providers can be priceless…but that doesnt mean providers shouldn’t be paid! @AbbyAbrams ✍️ in @TIME on the impact of @POTUS move to reimburse Medicaid providers for peds vax counseling. time.com/6129680/covid-…

Lots of other great insights in this month’s @KFF Vaccine Monitor. Vaccination intentions & motivation for recent increase in 💉, boosters, breakthrough infections, school mask mandates, the Delta surge. Lots to chew on! Check out KFF’s full report here: kff.org/coronavirus-co…

According to @CDCgov’s National Immunization Survey - Adult COVID Module conducted 9/12 - 9/18 (19K participants in a random-digit dialed phone survey): Adults w/1+ dose of COVID-19 vaccine: Latino = 78% White = 76% Black = 73% #vaccine-confidence" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tra…

Today’s @KFF Vaccine Monitor shows gaps in vax rates are nearly closed. 73% Latino, 71% White & 70% Black adults w/1+ shot received. Recent survey data from @pewresearch & @CDCgov (🧵) tells a similar story. Good news, but…“job’s not finished. Job finished? I don’t think so.”

Another thing that’s clear: We have quite a few more stops to make! Stay tuned for our next set of Community Context & Confidence Visits! Let us know where else we need to go!

One thing is clear from these visits: deep engagement isn’t just important—it’s essential in our efforts to end this pandemic equitably. Coordinating across government ➕ Connecting across community ➕ Changing the narrative… …that’s how we alter the trajectory & save lives.

Throughout the week, the #ShotsAtTheShop initiative was in full effect! Shop owners in all 4 cities partnered w/their health depts in vaccination events. Mobile vans, tents, in-shop vaccinations…these barbers & stylists used their networks & voices to protect their communities.