Delta Variant & Vaccine Hesitancy: Dr. Wrenetha Julion

The spread of the Delta Variant is a rapidly growing threat to public health, especially in states with low vaccination rates. But cases of COVID-19 are still holding steady in regions where more than 60% of the adult population had at least one shot.

The disparity comes at a time of triumph with increasing evidence that the vaccines offer extremely high rates of protection. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned that regional differences in coronavirus vaccination rates could create "two types of America."

Vaccine hesitancy is high in rural red states, in Black and Latino communities, and among many young people. In this episode, we hear again from Dr. Wrenetha Julion, professor and Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion at Rush University College of Nursing in Chicago. We also review the latest research on the Delta Variant and warnings of rising hospitalizations among unvaccinated Americans.

Vaccine hesitancy "is a significant problem," says Wrenetha. "It stems from a long history of mistrust and mistreatment of African-Americans and other groups in healthcare systems and research. Unfortunately, those things stick in people's minds."

We examine the impact of the Tuskegee experiment and look at Wrenetha's suggestions for building vaccine trust in marginalized communities.

Recommendation: Jim is reading "Bag Man", by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz. The book and her podcast tell the astounding story of Vice President Spiro Agnew— his crimes, cover-ups, and downfall.

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