Money From CDC to Support Vaccine Efforts

WAAY-31's Ashley Carter discusses bringing more vaccine education to various minority communities.

Day.

New at 5 -- we also have new information on vaccine efforts in alabama.

Today the c-d-c awarded the state more than 44-million dollars to expand vaccine programs!

It's part of 3-billion dollars set aside to improve vaccine distribution - access - and equity.

A significant portion must go to county health departments and community- based organizations.

And 75-percent - which comes to roughly 33-million dollars - has to go to specific programs and initatives designed to expand vaccine access and acceptance among minorities.

Waay 31's ashley carter spoke to groups who have been working for months to push vaccine education and accessbility in minority communities.

Ashley?

They are definitely saying this is a great thing that will really help out these communities.

I spoke to both the president of the state n double a c-p and one of the founders of health company who both say this will benefit many who are often overlooked when it comes to equal access in health care.

Tiffany whitlow, co-founder acclinate genetics: "this isn't about i'm afraid i'm hesitant i don't want to take a vaccine, our communities ready to take a vaccine,and we are ready to do our part."

Tiffany whitlow is the co- founder of acclinate genetics.

She also helped launch the hash tag now included initiative which gives the black community access to information about the healthcare industry she told me hearing that so much of the state's funding from the c-d-c will be used to give minority comunities access to the vaccine was a sigh of relief tiffany whitlow, co-founder acclinate genetics: "obviously all of this work takes resources, so to know that there are intentional resources being allocated to support organizations like ours, uab and so many other partners at a state level it honestly just provides just an extra sense of hope."

As of last month only about 14 percent of african americans in alabama had received their first dose of the vaccine...yet they make up almost 27 percent of the overall population in the state.

Statistics like these are why whitlow's organization weren't the only ones happy to hear about the state's initiative...state n double a c p president benard simelton told me educating african american communities about the vaccine itself and where to get the vaccine has been a top priority...especia lly since many still have questions on how they can receive one benard simelton, alabama naacp president: "the biggest thing that i hear is where do i go, how do i sign up for the vaccine."

Simelton says giving the vulnerable communities access and education when it comes to the vaccone can be life-saving.

Benard simelton, alabama naacp president "we want everyone to be able to live a long healthy life and not have a life cut short because of not having the vaccine."

When compared to the rest of the country alabama is actually 9th when it comes to vaccinating the most vulnerable populations...an d having more funding dedicated to this is expected to help.

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