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Public service campaign urges Indian Country to protect cultures and way of life by getting vaccinated

by Dr. Charles Ty Reidhead, Phoenix Area Director, Indian Health Service

In partnership with the American Lung Association, I was recently featured in a public service announcement Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  urging Indian Country to heed the wisdom of our elders and encouraging careful consideration of protecting our cultures and our way of life by getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Through their Better For It campaign Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , this PSA series is part of a larger national vaccination initiative that creates dialogue around science-based information to inform communities about the safety, availability, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

With the availability of authorized vaccines to protect us from COVID-19, we are charged with making a critically important decision about our personal health and the health of our families. I got my COVID-19 vaccine as soon as I could, my family has received theirs, every tribal leader I know has received theirs, and I encourage you to do the same.

You can visit the American Lung Association’s website Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  to download their campaign toolkits, which include guides for families and individuals to explore concerns, answer questions, and start a conversation about vaccination. Together, we can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by promoting vaccine confidence, encouraging prevention, and supporting our partners’ efforts to reach our American Indian and Alaska Native communities by sharing fact-based information about COVID-19 vaccines.

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Dr. Charles Ty Reidhead, Phoenix Area Director, Indian Health Service

Dr. Charles Ty Reidhead, a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota, is the director of the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service, overseeing the delivery of healthcare to over 170,000 patients in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. He previously served as the chief medical officer for the Phoenix Area from 2010-2016, where he provided clinical leadership to over 200 medical providers.