Geraldine Bradshaw was a Durham school principal who volunteered to participate in a clinical trial testing one of the COVID-19 vaccinations. She claims that her students inspired and motivated her to do this, and she also wanted to encourage African Americans like her. “It gave me the power to help pave a way for these children to have a better future,” Bradshaw says, “and show them how important it is that people who look like them aid in the progression of science.”

Bradshaw can now see the results of her participation, with half of all adults fully vaccinated.

“Science is part of the solution to ending this pandemic,”Gary H. Gibbons, MD, director of National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of National Institutes of Health, says.

Safety is the key to success at each step of the scientific discovery process. Safety is the guiding principle in scientific discovery of vaccines and treatments. Safety guides scientists like Gibbons who review and finance research. Safety and science inform Bradshaw’s recruitment. Bradshaw works with researchers and takes part in clinical trials. He also oversees the strict and continuous oversight of studies and determines regulatory approval. He guides engagement efforts in communities and directs doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who present these discoveries to patients.

However, myths and misleading data have created confusion, mistrust, and questions. Many communities, particularly those most affected by COVID-19 have begun to discuss why they should trust new vaccines and treatments.

“It is my passion to communicate the safety and efficacy of these vaccines, and how they work, to people in the community,”Ian Moore, Ph.D. was the chief of infectious disease pathology for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He also served as part of the NIH and oversaw safety during the early stages of vaccine research.

Moore is in good company “I can say with the utmost confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective,”Lisa A. Cooper M.D., M.P.H. is a professor at Johns Hopkins University in medicine and public health. She reviewed and monitored Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccination trial. It was safe and 94% effective in preventing severe illnesses. “My role allows me to ease any concerns raised by family and friends and make sure they continue to trust the science.”

For many others, it’s personal.

“Part of my role as an infectious disease physician is developing certain clinical protocols,”Katya Corado M.D. is a researcher at Lundquist Institute. “I am able to confidently provide details to our communities which have been devastated by COVID. I no longer want to see my parents, my grandparents, or my cousins dying of COVID.”

This type of outreach is a great help. Pew Research Center polled nearly 70% of all adults in February and 61% of Black adults in February. That compares to 60% and 42% respectively in November.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 1,949 of the over 123,000,000 adults who had been fully vaccinated in May were less than.001%.

Olveen Carasquillo M.D.M.P.H. is a trusted communicator in his community. “As a Latino physician, with more than 20 years of experience, it is very important to me that our hardest-hit communities receive the care and education they need and deserve,”He says. “To ensure my community survives COVID-19, I educate my patients, family, and friends on the science surrounding COVID-19 and vaccine development.”

Chyke Doubeni M.D. is a Mayo Clinic family physician and participant in a vaccine trial. “I now tell everybody with confidence, that getting the vaccine is safe. I know, because I was involved.”

You can learn more about COVID-19 science, resources and applications in your local community by visiting https://covid19community.nih.gov.