Vaccine hesitancy is real and it is not necessarily based on politics, or misinformation. Informed skepticism is part of science literacy and important for navigation of a complex world. But as we currently see on the topic of COVID vaccines, access to reliable information and research skills are not equitably distributed amongst all of us! In this episode, hosts Jennifer and Babette are joined by Dr. Imari Shaw, Assistant Professor in the Math, Science, Technology, and Health Division at SUNY SCCC; information literacy expert and librarian Caroline Buff; Damonni Farley, director of community outreach for the Schenectady City School District; and students Lindsay Feulner and Jaiwattie Mentor, to discuss the reasons behind COVID vaccine hesitancy, and how public health ultimately depends on our willingness to work for a common good without resorting to patronizing messaging or shameing tactics.
For up-to-date vaccination and COVID infection numbers, please see: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view|New%20York|36093|Risk|community_transmission_level
For the latest news and updates by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) see:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/whats-new-all.html
For research assistance, please feel free to consult with our librarians!
https://libguides.sunysccc.edu/begleylibrary/consultations
The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.