• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Health & Wellness

Black Healthcare Providers Organize To Build Trustworthiness Of COVID-19 Vaccine Process

Black doctors and nurses are teaming up to make sure communities have the information they need to make an informed decision.
Black Healthcare Providers Organize To Build Trustworthiness Of COVID-19 Vaccine Process
CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
By Anoa Changa · Updated May 3, 2021

As pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Moderna push for emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some in the Black community remain wary about vaccine safety. Anthony Williams, a Chicago based cancer biologist, told ABC News that he understands the hesitancy many have given the history of medical violence against Black people in this country.

“There is a longstanding, centuries-long history of brutality against people of color, from the Tuskegee syphilis experiments to Henrietta Lacks,” Williams said in an interview with ABC News. After some reflection, Williams decided to take part in the Moderna clinical trial citing a need to improve disparities in Black health. Moderna reported Black people comprised 10% of participants in the phase III trial.

Black Healthcare Providers Organize To Build Trustworthiness Of COVID-19 Vaccine Process
Los Angeles County Public Health director Barbara Ferrer speaks at a press conference on the novel COVID-19 (coronavirus), March 6, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. – Ferrer said that two more cases of coronavirus has been confirmed in Los Angeles County, with one of the new paitents being another person who was doing medicial screenings at Los Angeles International Airport. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

Moderna reported results from the phase III trial as being 94.1% effective overall. In its review of data released from phase III trial, Science Magazine reported that only 11 people who received both doses, developed COVID-19 symptoms. No one who received both doses of the vaccination developed severe COVID-19 symptoms. Similar findings were found in the final analysis of the Pfizer and BioNTech trial with only 1 person who received the vaccination developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. 

With the expedited process, wide spread misinformation, and mistrust of the outgoing administration, people may not get the information necessary to make an informed decision. In October, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine argued that the burden to address trust issues should not fall on the Black community to address. Instead, it is on clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory agencies to prove trustworthiness.

Article continues after video.

While trust in the vaccine process is not only a Black issue, Black healthcare professionals are making it their mission to help inform Black people about the vaccine process and safety. In late November, eight Black health professionals put out a “Love Letter to Black America” affirming their commitment to Black communities and encouraging people to trust in the safety of vaccinations. 

An effort of the Black Coalition Against COVID-19, the love letter opens a clear affirmation of love and a commitment that the doctors and nurses have for Black people. The letter reminds people to observe social distancing and continue to wear masks, while encouraging participation in clinical trials and taking the vaccination when it is available. 

Letter signees are David Carlisle, President, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science; Dr. Martha A. Dawson, President, National Black Nurses Association; Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President, Howard University; Dr. James Hildreth, President, Meharry Medical College; Dr. Leon McDougle, President, National Medical Association; Dr. Valerie Montgomery-Rice, President, Morehouse School of Medicine; Dr. Randall Morgan, President, The Cobb Institute; and Dr. Reed Tuckson, Founding Member, Black Coalition Against COVID. The Black Coalition Against COVID-19 has also hosted live streamed town halls about the vaccinations and the vaccine trial process.

—

ESSENCE is committed to bringing our audience the latest facts about COVID-19 (coronavirus). Our content team is closely monitoring the developing details surrounding the virus via official sources and health care experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Please continue to refresh ESSENCE’s informational hub for updates on COVID-19, as well as for tips on taking care of yourselves, your families and your communities.

TOPICS:  coronavirus Dating Advice flu vaccine nutrition Vaccine
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now