Resources: COVID-19 Vaccine Panel for Native American & Indigenous Communities

DENVER — Rocky Mountain PBS has partnered with the office of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and several community organizations to broadcast a town hall event in which experts participate in a discussion about the coronavirus, vaccines, and how to better serve indigenous communities in our fight against COVID-19.

The recorded discussion airs Sunday, March 21 at 5 p.m. on Rocky Mountain PBS.

Hancock, who received his vaccine March 19, said, “We’re focusing on communities of color – because the data shows these communities are being disproportionately impacted by the COVID pandemic – in both the numbers of cases and deaths.”

“The virus has killed American Indians and Indigenous people in the U.S. at especially high rates,” the mayor continued.

PBS NewsHour reports that nearly 7,000 people Indigenous people in urban areas alone contracted COVID-19 from the beginning of the pandemic to mid-February.

NewsHour also reported that a history of medical mistreatment "has led some Indigenous leaders to brace for challenges in vaccinating their communities."

Hancock said he hopes this town hall will dispel "the myths and misinformation that may prevent you from making the best decision for yourself or your family."