Black Americans are some of the hardest hit when it comes to COVID-19 with the second-highest mortality rate, but they are also among the least likely to get the vaccine. Dr. Rhea Boyd is a co-developer of a new video series working to encourage Blacks to get vaccinated, “The Conversation: Between Us, About US.” A major concern, the speed at which the vaccine was developed.
"It was fast. And you're not alone in thinking that it was fast. It's a common concern for most folks, and Black folks included. But what everyone should understand is that just because it was fast does not mean that it skipped any of the rigorous protocols that we use in clinical trials for any vaccine to be approved."
And while the vaccine is new, the process is not.
"But the research that the vaccines are based on has actually been in existence for over a decade, so all we had to do is apply that research to COVID-19 and invest all of our resources into it. That's what made the process faster, not any skipping of safety steps."
She says diversity was a key factor in developing the vaccine, which is just as effective in Blacks as everyone else.
"The clinical trials themselves were broadly inclusive, and one of the most diverse clinical trials we've had for vaccines in the history of vaccine development. Black scientists worked on the vaccine, and Black folks were actually a part of the trial."
Boyd says the vaccine’s side effects, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, or body aches are common and that they are a sign that your immune system is working and building up antibodies against the virus.
Visit www.betweenusaboutus.org for more information.