APTA has joined the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project, a nationwide campaign to support vaccine research, public education, and transparency. Members of the effort represent professional and advocacy organizations including the National Council on Aging, the Black Women's Health Imperative, and the American Nurses Association. The project was convened by the Alliance for Aging Research, HealthyWomen, and the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging.
The project recently launched the "Count Me In" campaign to provide individuals and organizations with information to build confidence in authorized COVID-19 vaccines. As part of the campaign, the organization offers consumer-focused briefs and infographics on COVID-19 vaccination, in English and Spanish, as well as a downloadable social media resource pack to share your own story with others.
In other vaccine-related news:
Biden Administration Vows Vaccines for All U.S. Adults by May
From AP: "President Joe Biden said Tuesday the U.S. expects to take delivery of enough coronavirus vaccine for all adults by the end of May — two months earlier than anticipated — and he pushed states to get at least one shot into the arms of teachers by the end of March to hasten school reopenings."
Merck Will Help Manufacture Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 Vaccine
From NPR: "Pharmaceutical giant Merck will help manufacture Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced Tuesday, calling it 'an unprecedented historic step, ' considering that the two companies are normally competitors. Merck will produce the drug substance at the heart of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine as well as work on filling vaccine vials and getting them ready for distribution."
Insurers Launch Pilot Program Aimed at Getting 2 Million American Seniors Vaccinated
From CNBC: "More than a dozen health insurers are launching a pilot program aimed at getting 2 million American seniors vaccinated as quickly as possible, President Joe Biden’s senior advisor on the Covid-19 pandemic announced Wednesday. The pilot program — Vaccine Community Connecters — is designed to educate seniors on the vaccines, help schedule appointments for shots and arrange transportation, advisor Andy Slavitt told reporters."
AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Approved in Canada
From Reuters: "Canada has ordered 20 million doses of the vaccine from AstraZeneca and is due to receive 1.9 million through COVAX — the international initiative set up to provide equitable access to vaccines — in the first half of the year."