Welcome to Marshall County: Rural, red and at the top in Kansas for COVID-19 vaccination

Kaylie McLaughlin

June 24, 2021 |

The Kansas Leadership Center Journal (KLC Journal) |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Marysville, Kansas

The vaccination rate of Marshall County is six percentage points higher than the state overall, a success that is built on an existing infrastructure of public health and trust-building that predates the pandemic. The county made a detailed plan for the vaccine rollout well before vaccines arrived and residents trust the health department because it provides 90% of the population with routine immunizations. The health department also works one-on-one with residents to answer vaccine questions, which is a more effective way of combating misinformation than a generalized outreach campaign.

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Big shots: The multicultural hustle for herd immunity in New Orleans

Kaylee Poche Sarah Ravits

June 21, 2021 |

Gambit |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

As demand for vaccinations plateaued and vaccination rates in Louisiana lagged outside of New Orleans, health officials found a variety of targeted, small events to reach various subcultures. These pop-up events dealt in small numbers, but chipped away at people's hesitancy with easy access, information, and community leaders' endorsements. And, this being Louisiana, the vaccination events often featured music and local delicacies, from boiled crawfish to beignets and booze.

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When get-out-the-vote becomes get-out-the-vaccine

Hannah Grabenstein

June 17, 2021 |

MLK50 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Memphis, Tennessee

The Shelby County Voter Alliance, who was used to using publicly available information to run get-out-the-vote and voter registration drives, pivoted to door-knocking to increase vaccination rates. Using a grant from Civic Nation’s Made to Save initiative, SCVA went to people’s homes to answer questions about vaccines and let them know about community vaccination pop-ups. They worked with local churches and set up at a Juneteenth celebration, where vaccines were offered. While canvassing, volunteers use a “research-based script” from Made to Save that especially helps them talk with “hesitant people.”

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India's healthcare workers are busting misinformation on WhatsApp

Sanket Jain

June 17, 2021 |

The Verge |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India

Accredited social health activists (ASHA) across India fight COVID-19 related misinformation on WhatsApp. ASHAs provide basic health care to people in their villages, which puts them on the frontline of treating COVID-19 patients and educating people to dispel the many myths about the virus and its treatments. ASHAs' local interactions often identify prevailing myths, which they quickly dispel in their face-to-face exchanges and by posting in the many local WhatsApp groups that have been created. The local groups have been an effective mode of educating people and helped ASHAs gain villagers’ trust.

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Italian volunteers transform an old custom of generosity into a powerful weapon in the battle against Covid 19

Lorenzo Di Stasi

June 17, 2021 |

News48 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Italy, Milan

Milan’s tampone sospeso or “suspended test” initiative provides rapid COVID-19 tests to stop the spread of the virus. The initiative sets up in highly visible public areas of Milan and is based on a model of mutual support where everyone pays what they can. It is run with the help of over 50 volunteers and Medicina Solidale, a group of medical professionals who provide free medical advice to those who can’t afford to access care. The project has raised 24,000 euros from 436 donors, which has enabled them to administer rapid antigenic swabs to more than 3000 people.

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From $1-Million Lotteries to Free Beer: Do COVID Vaccination Incentives Work?

Tanya Lewis

June 17, 2021 |

Scientific American |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

Several states are offering incentives to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Ohio’s Vax-a-Million program was one of the first state-based cash lotteries, awarding five residents over 18 a $1-million prize and five full college scholarships to residents ages 12-17. Vaccination rates jumped 28% in the first week of the program. Other states have looked to boost vaccination rates by offering creative incentives in addition to cash lotteries, including prepaid grocery and subway cards, tickets to local attractions, hunting rifles, free beer, and even cannabis joints in Washington state.

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‘Bring the things to the people': Why tenants and experts want more vaccination options

Justin Chandler

June 15, 2021 |

TVO |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Hamilton, Ontario

After a COVID-19 outbreak at a Hamilton apartment complex, officials began offering on-site appointments, particularly for people who are homebound. About 1,400 people have gotten the shot at their residence and many more at pop-up clinics. The decentralized approach is more resource intensive but is effective at reaching people at high risk for contracting the virus. Doctors at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine used the patient-centered approach to vaccinate a pre-identified list of Scarborough residents, mapping routes to ensure vaccines were used up within their six-hour time limit.

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Safe Spaces: Youth friendly centre provides judgement-free forum for sexual and reproductive health convos in Yola

Bashar Abubakar

June 14, 2021 |

Nigeria Health Watch |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Yolo

Today for Tomorrow Foundation is a youth-led and youth-serving non-profit that provides safe spaces for talking about sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and other socially taboo topics. Over 40 people have participated in the discussions and other programming. Discussions range from dispelling common myths - like the myth that using contraceptives before marriage prevents a woman from getting pregnant in the future - to teaching safe sex practices and developing a sense of empowerment so that the youth can advocate for their own wellbeing and not be constrained by the judgment of others.

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Minnesota Repurposes Transit Buses to Give COVID-19 Vaccines to Communities That Need Them Most

Henry Pan

June 10, 2021 |

Next City |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

With extra buses available due to lower ridership during the pandemic, Metro Transit worked with key partners to turn six buses into mobile vaccination clinics. Metro Transit provided drivers and retrofitted the buses by removing seats, relocating stanchions, and ensuring buses could draw power from electrical outlets. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota provided staff and licensed clinicians to administer the vaccines. The health department provided funding that made it all come together. The buses prioritized areas with gaps in vaccine access, including low-income areas and communities of color.

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Germany Makes Rapid Virus Tests a Key to Everyday Freedoms

Christopher F. Schuetze Melissa Eddy

June 09, 2021 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany

In Germany, where vaccination rollout has been slow, rapid antigen COVID-19 tests are used to allow people to attend indoor social, business, education, and personal care activities. There are 15,000 pop-up testing sites across the country, many in businesses that had fully or partially shut down due to the virus. People who want to participate in indoor activities like eating inside a restaurant need a negative rapid test that is no more than 24 hours old. The testing centers are funded by the government. While there is no conclusive evidence, experts believe widespread testing is lowering case numbers.

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