Accurate Information, Equitable Access
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the Y has worked diligently to meet the most pressing needs of the 10,000 communities we serve across the United States, especially those that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. By providing child care to essential workers and first responders, feeding families facing food insecurity, connecting with seniors who are isolated, housing people who are homeless and supporting children learning virtually, the Y has worked to make sure everyone in our communities has access to the resources they need.
As the COVID-19 vaccines begin reaching the broader population, now the Y is working to ensure that everyone has equitable access to accurate information about the vaccines and to the vaccines themselves, especially Black and Brown communities, which have been disproportionately affected by the health and economic impacts of the virus.
Ys across the country are committed to providing vaccine education, and many have offered to serve as vaccine distribution sites. YMCA of the USA is supporting these efforts and joining several national health and community-serving organizations in distributing accurate information to our communities and calling for equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Below are links to expert, science-backed information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. We encourage you to direct your family, friends and neighbors to these information sources. We will update this page as additional resources are published.
Resources updated June 2021
General COVID-19 Vaccine Facts
- CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts Opens a new window
- CDC COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs Opens a new window (incluye información en español)
- CDC Facts about COVID-19 Vaccine Opens a new window (printable materials available in multiple languages)
- CDC How and Where to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine Opens a new window
- CDC & FDA Statement on Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Opens a new window
- Kaiser Family Foundation - National Demographics of COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients Opens a new window
- CDC Vaccine Considerations for People with Disabilities Opens a new window
Additional Resources For Communities of Color
- Black Coalition Against COVID Opens a new window
- BlackDoctor.org COVID-19 Resource Center Opens a new window
- National Medical Association COVID-19 Task Force on Vaccines and Therapeutics Opens a new window
- UnidoUS COVID-19 Vaccines and Clinical Trials FAQs Opens a new window (incluye información en español)
Resources for Parents and Children
Equitable Vaccine Access Panel on Washington Post Live
On Friday, April 9, YMCA of the USA President and CEO Kevin Washington joined National League of Cities CEO Clarence E. Anthony for a Washington Post Live discussion focusing on the organizations’ vaccine equity and education initiative focused on the Black and Brown communities.
watch a recording of their conversation Opens a new window
