The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of Kansans and pushed our hospital systems to their capacity. State and local governments across the U.S. continue taking varied approaches in policymaking to reduce the spread of the virus.
On March 1, 2022, the Kansas Health Institute hosted a discussion on the tools used to mitigate COVID-19, with a focus on vaccine policy. Panelists Ximena Garcia, M.D., Senior Advisor for COVID-19 Vaccine Equity for Governor Laura Kelly, and Heather Braum, Health Policy Advisor, Kansas Action for Children, examined factors related to vaccine equity and the impact current policymaking has on all vaccine types. Presenters also provided highlights from recent surveys on vaccine preferences of Kansans. Hina B. Shah, M.P.H., led this discussion.
KHI materials related to this topic are linked below:
-
- A Shot at COVID-19 Vaccine Policy (slides from presentation)
- A Kansas Twist — Reopening Plans for Kansas Counties (August 13, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Intent Among Kansas Adults — Pulse on Kansas, Issue 7 (June 18, 2021)
External resources referenced by participants include:
-
- The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities: Funding for initiatives that will address COVID-19 concerns and increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for people among the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) population
- Kansas Office of the Governor/Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Pandemic Assistance & Vaccine Equity Grants
- Nurture KC: Kansas Statewide Survey: Attitudes Toward Vaccines
- Increase the Reach: Improving Health Equity Grant Opportunities