Adults who are hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine may be more likely to do so if they know someone who has received it. That’s the premise of the new “Take It From Me” campaign, launched last week by the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA), Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC), the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (FHKy), the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA), and the Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA) to encourage residents to receive the shot when it’s their turn.
“Take It From Me” includes social media advertisements as well as a series of video and print public service announcements that the partner groups will be asking media outlets and health providers across the state to share, particularly as vaccine eligibility in Kentucky now has been expanded to include all adults ages 50 and older. The PSAs feature a diverse group of residents reassuring others to “take it from me” that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective.
“We encourage talking to your physician about the vaccine. But through the ‘Take It From Me’ campaign, we also hope Kentuckians will talk to their friends and neighbors who have received it to help ease any concerns,” said KMA President Dale Toney, M.D., who is featured in the spots. “Millions of people have been safely vaccinated—myself included—and we need as many as possible to receive it to put this pandemic behind us.”
“Many people have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, and that’s okay,” said Ben Chandler, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “This campaign features Kentuckians willing to share the answers they have found to the most frequently stated vaccine concerns. It’s our hope that the campaign spokespersons will give those who are vaccine hesitant a higher level of comfort about getting their COVID-19 shot of prevention.”
Nancy Galvagni, president of the Kentucky Hospital Association, agrees: “Our organizations have teamed up because we know that getting more Kentuckians vaccinated is the best way to get our state back to enjoying the things we all miss and protecting everyone’s loved ones. Working around the clock to treat the sickest COVID-19 patients, Kentucky’s hospitals and the dedicated individuals who work there truly understand the impact of this pandemic and they stand ready to help once again by vaccinating as many people as possible. When it’s your turn, we hope you will take this opportunity to get vaccinated.”
“It is imperative that Kentucky residents take the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are able. The Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA), along with our Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Rural Health Clinic (RHC), and private practice members who provide care to thousands of patients every day, encourage all Kentuckians to roll up their sleeves and get the COVID-19 vaccine. The faster we can get people vaccinated, the quicker we can put this devastating pandemic behind us,” said David Bolt, Chief Executive Officer of the Kentucky Primary Care Association.
In addition to Dr. Toney, who is a board-certified internist and serves as Division Chief of General Internal Medicine and Women’s Health at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, the “Take It From Me” campaign features:
Michael Branch, the first Louisville firefighter to contract COVID-19, who is married to a physician and is the father of an infant daughter;
Leigh Doane, M.D., a mother of two young children (with another on the way), and wife of a police officer, specializes in women’s health. She was filmed on-site at her Sterling Health Care OBGYN office in Winchester;
Camille Jordan, RN, BSN, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CDP, is Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations & Innovation for Signature HealthCARE, LLC, and is a nurse by training;
Edward L. Palmer, Sr., is Pastor of The Sign Of The Dove Church in Radcliff, as well as a Certified Diversity Trainer and social justice advocate, and;
Jason “JP” Phillips, UK Extension Agent for Agriculture in Simpson County, is an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. He lives on a farm outside Franklin with his wife and two dogs.
Viewers are encouraged to consult the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services COVID-19 vaccine website, kycovid19.ky.gov, and hotline, 855-598-2246, for more information on vaccination. The “Take It From Me” campaign will run throughout 2021. The PSAs are available for download below. A toolkit for community organizations to share is also available here.
“Take It From Me” PSA 1 :30
“Take It From Me” PSA 2 :30
“Take It From Me” PSA 2 :30 (Spanish subtitles)
“Take It From Me” PSA 3 :30
https://vimeo.com/517250361/3c19a5cba3
“Take It From Me” PSA :15
“Take It From Me” PSA 4 :30
https://vimeo.com/517250361/3c19a5cba3
