In the News: A year after the first COVID shots, trusting relationships are key to opening vaccine access

Burma Family Focus navigator Van Bawi helps a vaccine clinic attendee check in during a November flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Photo by RISE AmeriCorps member Jaesik Son.

Trusting relationships within the refugee and immigrant community opened up vaccine access across Iowa, EMBARC representatives Mu Paw and Lam Bui told the Des Moines Register reporter Nick Coltrain this week.

"It's very important to build a relationship with the community," said Paw, Burma Family Focus navigator. "You can't just show up someday. You have to build trust with the community."

Des Moines Register: A year after the first COVID shot, nearly 1.8M Iowans are fully vaccinated. But more work remains to end the pandemic (LINK).

"Our communities have been exposed to institutions like hospitals, they've been exposed to a lot more health initiatives," said Bui, vaccine community engagement coordinator. "It's opening up our communities to talk with us. This pandemic has brought a lot of folks who are seeking help, and through that seeking help we're able to communicate with them."

Thank you to Mu, Lam, vaccine access program manager Allison Pleasant and all of EMBARC’s staff and community partners for making these vaccine clinics possible!