Thread by @healthaction

We’re just starting our National Rural Business Summit on #COVID19 vaccines!

It’s not too late to join Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and @SecVislack for this timely conversation: zoom.us/webinar/regist…

.@TheCOVIDCollab Co-Chair & Former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne: “Instead of talking about vaccine hesitancy, we should talk about vaccine confidence. We need to tell why we’re confident that these vaccines are working and safe“

“To once again get all our children back in school, we need more citizens vaccinated or we run the risk of another year of virtual education,” Gov. Kempthorne says. “Today’s summit is not just about talking — it’s acting” to vaccinate #rural America. #healthaction

We’re joined now by @KFF’s @Mollybrodie with expert insights into the #rural #COVID19 vaccination effort. “It’s amazing how fast we’ve moved from a majority unvaccinated population to a majority vaccinated population...and a large drop in the share of those sitting on the fence”

About a quarter of #rural Americans say they don't want a #COVID19 vaccine, almost double the rate of urban hesitancy, @Mollybrodie @KFF tells us. "The people who are sitting on the fence have real questions they need answered."

"People are concerned about how to sign up, how much it's going to cost--we know it's free, but many people don't."

.@KFF @Mollybrodie is sharing the top reasons why #rural Americans aren't getting vaccinated at higher rates:

- Logistical challenges with transportation
- Lack of information about availability
- Lack of sick days for vaccination and recovery
- Concerns about costs

Employers can increase vaccination rates in #rural communities by "meeting employees where they are," @Mollybrodie tells the National Rural Business Summit.

We're on to a panel discussion! Tune in to hear Mayor @MayorDonHardy1, @FarmBureau's @ZippyDuvall and @ruralhealth's @Amorganrural discuss how to engage with #rural communities that have questions about #COVID19 vaccines.

"The key is to get the vaccination to the doorstep of individuals who need it most," @MayorDonHardy1 says. "We have to make sure they have the opportunity to have access to the vaccine. I want to take away the excuse that 'I can't get the vaccine.'"

.@FarmBureau's @ZippyDuvall on engaging #rural Americans: "Farmers and ranchers know all about vaccines, we've used them on our herds. I hope our farmers are taking care of themselves as well as they're taking care of their animals."

.@ZippyDuvall on how employers can build confidence among #rural workers: "There are business owners took the vaccine first, in front of their employees, and then asked their employees if they'd join them in getting #vaccinated."

.@ruralhealth's @Amorganrural: "Last year we saw more rural hospitals close than at any point in the last two decades. In #rural communities, we're talking about two issues: an access issue and a communications issue."

"It's on us as employers to talk to our employees. Do you have transportation? Do you need time off? What can I do" to make it easy for workers to get their #COVID19 vaccines, @Amorganrural tells us.

.@FarmBureau's Zippy Duvall: "Everyone, I don't care who they are or where they're from, deserves to be protected by this vaccine...but we've got to get to this 70% of higher level" before herd immunity becomes a reality.

.@ruralhealth's @Amorganrural identifies the four groups #rural communities should engage to coordinate #COVID19 vaccination efforts:

1. Healthcare professionals
2. Faith leaders
3. Agriculture leaders
4. Business leaders

Our next National Rural Business Summit panel features @LandoLakesInc’s Tina May, @TheRuralChamber’s Sherri Powell & @OHAOregon’s Maria Elena Castro on how businesses can partner with local governments to drive #COVID19 vaccination.

Tune in live: zoom.us/webinar/regist…

.@LandoLakesInc’s Tina May on engaging a rural workforce: “We’re working with on-site education materials, we’re hosting on-site vaccine clinics...we’re also providing employees with time off to get the vaccine and any down time from side effects.”

“We know 42 million Americans do not have access to a reliable, affordable high speed Internet connection," @LandOLakesInc's Tina May tells our attendees. "We need to acknowledge the digital divide that exists on the #vaccine issue" in #rural communities.

"Even as small towns, we can't gather at baseball games or go to summer camp until we take this seriously and get the shots," @TheRuralChamber's Sherri Powell tells our National Rural Business Summit. "It's been incredible to see the power one business owner can hold."

.@OHAOregon’s Maria Elena Castro on vaccinating #rural farm workers: “Farmworkers face barriers around language access and overall lack of health care services. In Oregon, farmworkers speak over 15 languages...we need to share information in languages and dialects."

"So much of this is local," @LandOLakesInc's Tina May says. "These public health departments are short-staffed, and they've been doing everything they could to get these shots in arms. I want to give them a shout-out."

“Anyone in a small rural town, you know there is a high likelihood there’s one loan officer at a bank, one history teacher at school,” @TheRuralChamber’s Sherri Powell says. “If you have a distressed relationship with your town clinician, that can cause a problem."

How do #rural communities overcome Internet access challenges? “Employers have a role,” Maria Elena Castro says. “It can be providing outreach in a language workers can understand to speaking about the challenges workers’ families are facing trying to get reliable information."

We just launched our Audience Insights & Messaging Guidance for #Rural Communities! Read and share our guidance and become a #rural vaccine ambassador in your community: uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6010e149d9130a…

We're thrilled to welcome @SecVilsack to deliver our National #Rural Business Summit keynote remarks!

Tune in live: zoom.us/webinar/regist…

.@SecVilsack at our National #Rural Business Summit happening now: “As of today, over 1,576 employees at @USDA volunteered their time organizing and staffing vaccination sites around the country. I'm proud to say these individuals administered over 2 million shots to Americans“

“We recognize there are multiple reasons why folks may be reluctant to get vaccinated. That needs to be acknowledged, and that needs to be respected“ @SecVilsack says. “But it’s important to do what we can to educate individuals” about #COVID19 vaccines.

.@SecVilsack would really love if you reminded your friends and coworkers that they can call 1-800-232-0233, or text your ZIP Code to 438829, to get trusted information on where to find a #COVID19 vaccine near you.

We now welcome @WhiteHouse Vaccinations Coordinator @choucair to share how the Biden administration is increasing vaccine access and confidence in #rural communities.

"We are making it easier and easier to get vaccinated," @choucair tells the National Rural Business Summit. "There's going to be more than 100 organizations committed to hosting over 1,000 #vaccination events the first weekend in June alone."

.@choucair on improving vaccine access in rural communities and small towns: "Community health centers are a critical channel" for delivering #COVID19 vaccines. "Community health centers have administered over 2.5 million doses of vaccine."

Understanding how vaccines work is an essential step in understanding why vaccination is so important. We've produced an educational video series to help answer your #COVID19 questions: healthaction.org/vaccines101

Thank you for joining us at our National Rural Business Summit! Now take action in your community by visiting healthaction.org.