CDC launches Covid-19 WhatsApp chat in Spanish to spur more Latino vaccinations

The CDC is launching a Covid-19 vaccine WhatsApp chat in Spanish to get more Latinos vaccinated. The CDC is launching a WhatsApp chat in Spanish with information about Covid-19 vaccines as it seeks to increase the number of Latinos who are vaccinated. NBC News

As Latinos continue to get hit with disinformation in Spanish about the Covid-19 vaccine on social media and messaging platforms, the federal government is making an attempt to fight back by partnering with WhatsApp to deliver information in Spanish to users.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is announcing on Monday a Covid-19 vaccine WhatsApp chat in Spanish to help get more Latinos inoculated.

The Department of Health and Human Services is collaborating with the messaging app’s parent company, Facebook, as part of the National Month of Action, an initiative the administration is taking to get 70 percent of U.S. adults at least one Covid-19 shot by July 4.

The chat is called “Mi Chat Sobre Vacunas COVID” or “My Chat about COVID vaccines” and is already live.

Its aim to “help Spanish-speaking communities get vaccinated against COVID-19,” according to a press release provided in advance to NBC News. The chat can be accessed by scanning a QR code or clicking on a link. After the user replies with “hola,” (hello) a menu of options will pop up with nearby vaccination sites, information about transportation to and from the vaccine location, and answers to frequently asked questions. The information service is part of the “We Can Do This Campaign.” ...

Latinos have been lagging in inoculation rates compared to whites. As of June 14th, 36 percent of Latinos had received at least one vaccine dose compared to 45 percent of whites, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. According to an analysis by the foundation, equity in vaccination rates has been improving since March 1st.

Federal, state, and local governments have implemented strategies to educate people on Covid-19 and the vaccine. But some experts say there is not enough information available in Spanish and Latinos continue to be a target of disinformation about the vaccine, including that it will give you the virus, it will make women infertile, and that the pandemic was planned by world leaders for pharmaceutical companies to get richer from vaccines. ...