As I sat in the vaccine clinic last year, rolling up my sleeve, I felt a small pop in my belly- a tiny movement from my baby. That little kick reminded me of why getting my COVID-19 vaccine was so very important. I was protecting both of us against COVID-19 and the associated complications, which include preterm delivery and severe maternal illness and increased risk of death. I was also giving him antibodies, or immune-fighter cells, that would help him as a newborn and an infant, for up to six months.

"Working between Africa and the US lets me experience both worlds in their rawness, and I navigate a kaleidoscope of emotions. My two strikingly different realities force me to live in the shadow of survivor's guilt, and I'll remain here until I know that people everywhere have access to a life-saving vaccine." Maji Hailemariam Debena, PhD, assistant professor, writes about survivors' guilt during the COVID-19 pandemic and issues of health inequity from the perspective of an African researcher living in Flint.

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In an op-ed for The New York Times, Michigan State University professor and Flint-based pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha shares her perspective on working with children during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Flint water crisis. Dr. Hanna-Attisha sees blatant health and socioeconomic disparities firsthand while treating children in Flint. She pens, "Rather than hoping a child is tough enough to endure the insurmountable, we must build resilient places where all children can thrive." 

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“In our response to COVID-19, we risk other emerging crises as well as excess illness and death due to non-COVID related disease if we solely focus on the COVID pandemic,” wrote Dr. Debra Furr-Holden, C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health, Associate Dean for Public Health Integration at MSU.

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Dr. Debra Furr-Holden shares her perspective on how COVID-19 has raised the visibility of public health and shined a light on the racial health disparities since it has disproportionately impacted African Americans. Preliminary data from the CDC suggests men may be experiencing disproportionate COVID-19 impacts as well. There are likely a number of other disparate populations, and a lack of good data will only continue to fuel this ongoing debate. 

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In this Op-Ed by Dr. Debra Furr-Holden shares her perspective on the disparities in COVID-19 vaccine distribution."The disparities in COVID vaccine distribution and administration are appalling. The federal government spent U.S. taxpayer dollars to cover the cost of what’s in the COVID vaccine vials but missed the essential step of mandating that the vaccines be distributed and administered equitably."

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