BATON ROUGE, La. – March 12, 2021 – Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome’s Health Equity Vaccine Taskforce announced their COVID-19 vaccine recommendations today. The taskforce is intended to identify disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations and address the needs of the underserved community by providing education, access, and resources to the local community. 

“Throughout this pandemic, we have seen how health disparities have significantly impacted the underserved residents of our community,” said Mayor Broome. “This is especially true when we examine COVID-19 vaccinations. It is critical for our local and state government, medical partners, community stakeholders, and residents to work together to address these inequities and remove the barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine. This work will help protect the lives of our residents.”

The Health Equity Vaccine Taskforce recommendations include: 

1. Providing information and creating awareness for community members. 
   1. Disseminate the answers to frequently asked questions through social media platforms.
   2. Frequently share vaccination locations, dates, and times with members of the community.
   3. Carry out informational town halls and interviews to educate the community on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine.
   4. Provide a platform for community representatives to share their vaccination experience.
2. Removing existing barriers to vaccines and increasing access in underserved communities. 
   1. Work with community stakeholders to hold vaccination events in nontraditional settings with extended time frames to accommodate residents.
   2. Carry out canvassing and phone banking to connect residents to information, resources, and vaccination appointments.
   3. Create a system for residents to opt into updates about vaccination opportunities.

Mayor Broome and HealthyBR will launch an informational campaign to help ensure those within our community will be well informed of vaccine availability and access. This initiative will provide candid community discussions that best represent the needs of East Baton Rouge Parish’s underserved communities.

More information on the campaign will be available within the coming days. 

The recommendations from the taskforce are the result of a dedicated group of medical professionals, community leaders, and community advocates who are committed to protecting the health and safety of East Baton Rouge Parish residents. 

Taskforce members:

• Anthony Kenney — Southern University
• Ashley Shelton — Power Coalition
• Brandon Kelly — Home Bank
• Dr. Byron Jasper — Byja Clinic
• Eugene Collins — Baton Rouge NAACP
• Dr. Gia Tyson, MD, MPH — Ochsner Health
• Jennifer Moore — Louisiana Department of Health
• Kristen Gradney, MHA, RDN, LDN — Our Lady of the Lake
• Nicole Scott MSN, RN — Nikky Scott Inc
• Nicole Thomas DNP, RN — Impact Nurse Consulting
• Pat LeDuff — Community Against Drugs and Violence
• Dr. Orlando Palmer — Parker’s Pharmacy
• Raegan Carter — Louisiana Primary Care Association
• Dr. Raneesha Ford — Baton Rouge General
• Pastor Ronaldo Hardy — All Nations Worship Assembly
• Shunn Phillips — The Baton Rouge Clinic
• Superintendent Sito Narcisse — East Baton Rouge Parish Public School System
• Tasha Clark-Amar — East Baton Rouge Council on Aging
• Terrie Sterling — Terrie Sterling Consulting