COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence
Everyday many more people are becoming partially or fully vaccinated, but there are many others who have not been vaccinated, despite the demonstrated safety of the vaccines and their high degree of effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death. Social workers, as professionals who provide services in a wide range of community settings, and who are trusted messengers, are in a unique position to promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence, access, and uptake — particularly among populations with low vaccination rates and higher vulnerability to severe forms of infection.
NASW and the NASW Foundation are partnering with the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute (HBRT) at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded (CDC) initiative to support social workers and their clients in informed vaccine decision-making.
Learn more about this initiative.
NASW Resources
- NASW Vaccine Confidence Training for Social Workers – Complimentary self-study webinars and CEUs
A centerpiece of the Connect to End COVID-19 initiative is providing accurate information to social workers about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccine safety and effectiveness, barriers to vaccination (e.g., mis/disinformation, logistical challenges, psychosocial and social care considerations, etc.), and the role of social workers in supporting clients in informed decision making regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
Key to the initiative are national, interactive trainings on the use of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and other evidence-based, culturally competent, public health and social work informed frameworks for helping clients process decisions regarding their health. A primary focus is on populations with low vaccination rates and greater vulnerability to severe forms of infection.
View NASW’s complimentary self-study webinars.
Additional Resources
- Post Covid-19 Care Centers
Recovery from COVID-19 is posing a new set of challenges for patients and physicians alike. There is so much we don’t know with, with the lingering and persistent long COVID symptoms emerging as an ongoing battle. Post COVID Care Centers (PCCC) are opening across the county to address the issues of COVID-19 recovery – with comprehensive and coordinated treatment pathways.
View available PCCCs in California – this list provides a growing network of PCCCs.
- Healthy Davis Together – Working to prevent the spread of Covid-19
A joint project between the City of Davis and UC Davis with a goal to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The website offers Covid-19 updates, insights, data, testing information, and more.
- California Department of Public Health – Vaccinate All 58 Counties
Materials created to provide clear, factual and actionable information for Californians to help them stay safer from COVID-19, including resources that help Californians understand the importance of wearing a mask when it can protect themselves and their community.
Watch our Introductory Video
