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Indianapolis is recruiting community members to promote local vaccination efforts through the new COVID Community Ambassador program.
A Facebook Live event Wednesday night served as a webinar for the City’s new program to increase vaccinations.
The information for the COVID Community Ambassadors and residents aims to dispel myths about the vaccination.
Marion County Public Health Department Director Virginia Caine announced that she would also be present at a Thursday event where local leaders plan to get the shot.
"We’re hoping to have some recipients get that Johnson and Johnson vaccine out there, it’s a one shot vaccine," Caine said.
The new shot is 85 percent effective against severe cases. Anyone can get involved with the Community Ambassador program to receive regular updates to share socially with friends, family and neighbors.
Ambassadors are asked to sign up and keep up on accurate, local vaccination information. Two webinars this week, one in Spanish, will provide participants with details on ways to communicate and advocate for COVID-19 vaccinations.
In a written statement Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said a trusted family member or neighbor could make a difference in vaccine participation.
“This effort allows the power of connections to be at the forefront of disseminating critical vaccine information,” Hogsett said. “Neighbor to neighbor, we can dispel myths and remove barriers to get our city on a healthier path.”
READ MORE: Trust Is Key To Combat COVID Vaccine Hesitancy, Experts Say
The program is a partnership between the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety and the Marion County Public Health Department.
The initiative’s goal is to vaccinate 80 percent of Marion County residents.
Interested individuals can sign up for the program by visiting indy.gov/covid and clicking on “CLICK HERE to learn how you can become a Community Ambassador.
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