MSNBC: Coronavirus Pandemic

Louito Edje, MD, associate dean of graduate medical education at the UC College of Medicine and UC Medical Center, spoke with MSNBC journalist Chris Jansing about vaccination concerns among Black Americans as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that for the period Dec. 14, 2020 through January 14, 2021 about 13 million American received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The race and ethnicity of just over half of this group was known, but of that vaccinated group only 5.4% were Black, while 11.5% were Hispanic.

Edje, a UC family medicine physician, discussed reasons for her participation in the Moderna vaccine trial and the loss of members of her own family as a result of COVID-19. “I think number one the conversations have to be brought to the floor with reluctant individuals on a basis of respect, patience, and really acknowledgment of the horrible truths that have happen around clinical trials,” Edje told MSNBC. “It is really important for reluctant individuals to know that there are new things put in place like institutional review boards, which are groups of people who actually go ahead and review all studies involving human subjects before any human subject is enrolled so we can adhere to ethical practices at all times.”

Listen to the MSNBC interview with Louito Edje, MD.

Featured image of Louito Edje, MD, taken by Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand.