Dr. King to discuss vaccine hesitancy on NET

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue across the state, data suggest there is hesitancy to receive the vaccine among Nebraskans, including some who are part of the state’s minority populations.

On April 28, during a television broadcast taping hosted by Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET), Keyonna King, PhD, assistant professor in the UNMC College of Public Health Center for Reducing Health Disparities, will be one of four Nebraska medical experts exploring vaccination concerns and answering questions from viewers across the state.

“Speaking of Nebraska: Vaccine Hesitancy,” will be taped in Lincoln in the auditorium of Lincoln High School, 2229 J St., at 7 p.m. CT. The program will take an in-depth look at the topic from a Nebraska standpoint, discuss reasons behind vaccine hesitancy and present science-based information regarding vaccinations. The broadcast will include English and Spanish closed captioning. “Speaking of Nebraska” is a weekly conversation about issues facing the state.

The in-person taping is open to the public, but seating is limited to ensure social distancing (estimated seating up to 150). Registration is not required. Questions may be sent in advance to NET news news@netnebraska.org or via the NET News Twitter and Facebook accounts.

The program will air in May on NET television and NET radio. (See sidebar for dates and times.)

In addition to Dr. King, panelists include:

• Bob Rauner, MD, family physician/president of the Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln;
• Afua Ntem-Mensah, MD, infectious disease physician at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, Nebraska; and
• Josue Gutierrez, MD, family physician at Saline Medical Specialties in Crete, Nebraska.

Past episodes of “Speaking of Nebraska” can be viewed online.

The program is funded in part by Partnership for a Healthy Nebraska and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.