Health disparities existed before the pandemic and continue today, but there are lessons to be learned from the COVID-19 experience to inform an approach to help close the gaps. The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project recently hosted a LinkedIn Live discussion around how health groups can incorporate successful approaches to improve both COVID-19 rates and address longstanding vaccination inequities, which have led to lower vaccination rates for many and to a higher incidence of vaccine-preventable disease in vulnerable populations.

• Dr. Ernest Grant, President of the American Nurses Association (ANA)
• Dr. Tim Putnam, member, Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, former president and CEO of Margaret Mary Health and past president of the Indiana Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Association
• Dr. L.J. Tan, Chief Strategy Officer, Immunization Action Coalition

The conversation was moderated by Dr. Uzma Syed, Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force for Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.