Aug. 18: Vanderbilt Undertaking on Unity and American Democracy

The Vanderbilt Undertaking on Unity and American Democracy and Vanderbilt College Medical Heart will host “Vaccine Hesitancy: The Politics of Public Well being in Tennessee,” a digital occasion, on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at midday CT.  

In line with its mission to raise details and reasoned discourse into our nationwide dialog, the mission will convene a panel of medical and political consultants who will current proof on the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine from their expertise and debunk myths related to vaccine hesitancy in Tennessee and throughout the broader U.S. 

The occasion is digital and open to the general public.

Click on right here to register for the occasion.  

With an introduction from Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, the panel will likely be led by moderator Pamela R. Jeffries, dean of Vanderbilt College Faculty of Nursing, and that includes panelists:  

• Dr. Alex Jahangir, orthopedic surgeon and govt medical director of the Heart for Trauma, Burn and Emergency Normal Surgical procedure at Vanderbilt College Medical Heart. Jahangir is chair of the Metro Nashville Board of Well being and head of the Metro Nashville Coronavirus Activity Power.    

• Paul Mango, former deputy chief of workers on the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers in the Trump administration (2018-21), the place he managed Operation Warp Pace.    

• Former U.S. Congressman Phil Roe, M.D., U.S. consultant for Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District (2009-21), the place he served as chairman of the Home Committee on Veterans Affairs and as co-chair of the GOP Medical doctors Caucus. Roe was a practising OB/GYN for 31 years in Johnson Metropolis, Tennessee.  

“It’s vital that we convene these conversations to raise proof on the security and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and promote more healthy communities in Tennessee and throughout the nation,” stated Grey Sasser, govt director of The Vanderbilt Undertaking on Unity and American Democracy. “Vanderbilt and VUMC scientists and public well being consultants have performed a vital position in growing options to the pandemic, and all through this excessive case of profound uncertainty, we’ve a continued duty to pursue details and proof to coach our communities.” 

In keeping with the 2021 Vanderbilt Ballot, Tennessee Republicans reported considerably extra vaccine hesitancy than these figuring out as Democrats or Independents. Rural communities proceed to report considerably decrease numbers of vaccinated populations, and Tennessee state officers paused vaccine promotions concentrating on adolescents amid strain from state GOP lawmakers.  

This skilled panel will supply evidence-based context and perspective to de-escalate present heated rhetoric and dispel generally held misunderstandings about vaccine growth and efficacy.  

A recording of the digital occasion will likely be accessible on The Vanderbilt Undertaking on Unity and American Democracy’s web site and shared with everybody who registered for the occasion. 

About The Vanderbilt Undertaking on Unity and American Democracy  

The Vanderbilt Undertaking on Unity and American Democracy is a nonpartisan initiative that goals to raise analysis and evidence-based reasoning into the nationwide dialog. Drawing on authentic analysis, evidence-based papers and essential conversations from Vanderbilt’s world-class college and visionary thought leaders of all political persuasion, the well timed endeavor goals to offer policymakers and the general public the instruments wanted to fight conspiracy and unfounded ideology with proof, information and respectful discourse. The Vanderbilt Undertaking on Unity and American Democracy could make a significant contribution to fixing society’s most urgent challenges and bridging our deepest variations. Keep knowledgeable on mission information, occasions on demand and analysis at vu.edu/unity.