Charles Sternberg, Assistant Editor03.11.21
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI), the trade association for the cleaning product supply chain, has joined the National Blue Ribbon Task Force to Stem Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy.
This is a national effort spearheaded by The Creative Coalition in partnership with the dean of the Yale University School of Public Health that brings together influencers and leaders in the U.S. from the entertainment industry, Fortune 500 companies, academia, medicine, professional sports, retail, fashion and NGOs to lead social welfare and public advocacy efforts to stem Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy. The Blue Ribbon Task Force will provide programming, leadership, guidance, and creative assets in a national campaign aimed at reducing vaccine hesitancy across the most vulnerable communities.
"Cleaning, hygiene and disinfecting products have been essential in helping to curb the spread of Covid-19. While using these products is still important from a public health perspective, ACI and its member companies are fully invested in supporting efforts to encourage Americans to receive their coronavirus vaccine, which is vital to ending this pandemic," said Melissa Hockstad, ACI president and CEO.
"Public opinion is critical to public health," emphasized Dr. Sten Vermund, dean, Yale University School of Public Health. "By combining the influence and resources of The Creative Coalition, its allies in the entertainment industry, the business community, and the expertise of the Yale School of Public Health, the Blue Ribbon Task Force can move hearts and minds to ensure that Americans from all communities can access and embrace safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines.”
Inaugural Meeting
The Task Force held its inaugural meeting on March 3, at a virtual event attended by the nation's top doctors, including CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the president of the United States; Hollywood talent including The Creative Coalition president Tim Daly, Harry Hamlin, Jon Huertas, CCH Pounder, Richard Schiff and KT Tunstall.
In addition to The Creative Coalition and Yale School of Public Health, other entities that are part of the task force include American Cleaning Institute, APCO Worldwide, BNY Mellon, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Deloitte, Franklin Templeton, Stanley Black & Decker, The Corcoran Group, UPS, and ViacomCBS, among others.
At the event, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, "We are here today to harness the power of influencers in building vaccine confidence. While we do see that confidence is increasing as more and more people get vaccinated and experience with the vaccine grows, we know that people who are admired can be influential and trusted sources when they are genuine in expressing their views. And this can translate into increased trust in vaccines and interest in getting vaccinated among fans and followers."
Dr. Anthony Fauci added, "It is a fact that people listen to prominent members of society, particularly some that they might recognize, such as people in the entertainment business or people who've reached a degree of accomplishment and respectability in the business world. When those people are out there giving the message that they have confidence in the safety and the efficacy of the vaccine, it is surprising how many people you can actually win over... So I think the role that could be played is extraordinary and, likely, would be successful."
Co-chairs of the Task Force are Jenny Johnson, president & CEO, Franklin Templeton Investments; Margery Kraus, CEO and executive chairman, APCO Worldwide; Rob O'Neill, SVP, content strategy & acquisitions, ViacomCBS; and Dr. Sten Vermund, Dean, Yale University School of Public Health.
This is a national effort spearheaded by The Creative Coalition in partnership with the dean of the Yale University School of Public Health that brings together influencers and leaders in the U.S. from the entertainment industry, Fortune 500 companies, academia, medicine, professional sports, retail, fashion and NGOs to lead social welfare and public advocacy efforts to stem Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy. The Blue Ribbon Task Force will provide programming, leadership, guidance, and creative assets in a national campaign aimed at reducing vaccine hesitancy across the most vulnerable communities.
"Cleaning, hygiene and disinfecting products have been essential in helping to curb the spread of Covid-19. While using these products is still important from a public health perspective, ACI and its member companies are fully invested in supporting efforts to encourage Americans to receive their coronavirus vaccine, which is vital to ending this pandemic," said Melissa Hockstad, ACI president and CEO.
"Public opinion is critical to public health," emphasized Dr. Sten Vermund, dean, Yale University School of Public Health. "By combining the influence and resources of The Creative Coalition, its allies in the entertainment industry, the business community, and the expertise of the Yale School of Public Health, the Blue Ribbon Task Force can move hearts and minds to ensure that Americans from all communities can access and embrace safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines.”
Inaugural Meeting
The Task Force held its inaugural meeting on March 3, at a virtual event attended by the nation's top doctors, including CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the president of the United States; Hollywood talent including The Creative Coalition president Tim Daly, Harry Hamlin, Jon Huertas, CCH Pounder, Richard Schiff and KT Tunstall.
In addition to The Creative Coalition and Yale School of Public Health, other entities that are part of the task force include American Cleaning Institute, APCO Worldwide, BNY Mellon, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Deloitte, Franklin Templeton, Stanley Black & Decker, The Corcoran Group, UPS, and ViacomCBS, among others.
At the event, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, "We are here today to harness the power of influencers in building vaccine confidence. While we do see that confidence is increasing as more and more people get vaccinated and experience with the vaccine grows, we know that people who are admired can be influential and trusted sources when they are genuine in expressing their views. And this can translate into increased trust in vaccines and interest in getting vaccinated among fans and followers."
Dr. Anthony Fauci added, "It is a fact that people listen to prominent members of society, particularly some that they might recognize, such as people in the entertainment business or people who've reached a degree of accomplishment and respectability in the business world. When those people are out there giving the message that they have confidence in the safety and the efficacy of the vaccine, it is surprising how many people you can actually win over... So I think the role that could be played is extraordinary and, likely, would be successful."
Co-chairs of the Task Force are Jenny Johnson, president & CEO, Franklin Templeton Investments; Margery Kraus, CEO and executive chairman, APCO Worldwide; Rob O'Neill, SVP, content strategy & acquisitions, ViacomCBS; and Dr. Sten Vermund, Dean, Yale University School of Public Health.