Lexington's campaign to get citizens vaccinated against COVID-19 might shift toward a more personalized approach as the city looks to convince those who are on the fence about getting the shot.
The city launched its #LexDoThis vaccination campaign back in February, recruiting community leaders and a diverse cast of spokespeople to testify to the necessity and safety of the vaccines. And so far, the message is resonating — with Fayette County now home to more fully vaccinated residents than all but two other counties in the state.
But with supplies ramping up and demand expected to eventually wane, the job of persuading the public gets harder. As the city tries to reach those more wary of the vaccines, Mayor Linda Gorton says a recent Louisville survey showed the vaccine-hesitant are more open to them if they hear a recommendation directly from their primary physician.
"In other words, if your healthcare provider says, 'You know, you ought to get the vaccine,' they're more likely to get it," Gorton says. "So we're going to start thinking about our messaging in that regard."
A nationwide NPR/Marist survey in March showed roughly 30 percent of respondents do not plan on getting the shot, but officials are hoping those numbers come down as more and more Americans see their family, friends, and neighbors get vaccinated.
