Overcoming hesitancy to receive the new COVID-19 vaccines is a growing issue across the U.S. despite more than 500,000 deaths resulting from the virus to date. According to a recent report published by the Kaiser Family Foundation, rural residents are among the most vaccine-hesitant groups, with seven in 10 rural residents expressing at least some reluctance to receive the vaccine.

[UPDATE: New COVID-19 Vaccine Handouts Available (English | Spanish)]

As trusted members of the communities we serve, Extension faculty and staff are in a unique position to address the issue of vaccine hesitancy using ready-made materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC has developed several toolkits for use in promoting and building confidence in the new COVID-19 vaccines.

You will likely find the toolkit for community-based organizations to be most relevant to our Extension work.

• COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit | Community-Based Organizations This CDC toolkit contains plain language fact sheets in eight different languages, newsletter articles, key messages, customizable letters, social media graphics, posters and flyers that you can use in your educational efforts. Many of these materials can be customized with our Extension logos (N.C. Cooperative Extension | NC State Extension).
• CDC / DHHS COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet (1-Pager)
  • English version
  • Spanish version
• View All CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkits You can also find resources in the toolkits for essential workers (including agriculture), long-term care facilities, vaccine recipients and healthcare professionals. For example, detailed information about the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines can be found in the Recipient Education Toolkit.

While the CDC should be considered the main source for COVID-19 vaccine information, states have been given considerable flexibility with regard to the distribution of the vaccines. Other valuable vaccine resources to reference for both your outreach efforts and personal well-being include:

• You Have a Spot. Take Your Shot. (DHHS) -- state guidance and protocols for vaccine distribution, as well as education and communication campaigns.
  • You can also help slow the spread of the virus by downloading SlowCOVIDNC, the official exposure notification app for North Carolina, and promoting the app with DHHS' communications toolkit.
• Protect the Pack (NC State University) + N.C. A&T State University COVID-19 Resources -- one-stop shops for our respective university protocols, guidelines and far-ranging information to help promote safe and supportive environments for students, faculty and staff.
  • Also, NC State News continues expanding a COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A Series featuring university experts addressing questions about the vaccines ranging from safety to manufacturing to distribution.
• Extension COVID-19 Resources -- research-backed information from our experts and specialists to help North Carolinians navigate the pandemic and the challenges associated with it.

The most effective education and communication campaigns are often those done through multi-sector partnerships - engage partners in your local efforts and work together when possible. National Extension leadership is currently engaged in ongoing discussions with CDC staff aimed at expanding the role of the Cooperative Extension System in immunization education and vaccine uptake.

We'll share additional updates as more details are available. In the meantime, thanks for all that you continue to do across the state - stay safe!