PROJECT GOALS

Understand attitudes toward vaccinations and prevention practices among Black, Hispanic, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and underserved rural populations

This project aimed to learn how community members were reacting to evolving pandemic recommendations on risk mitigation, use of vaccines and therapeutics, and experience of long-COVID. To do this, we hosted focus groups with 48 panel participants from the community. We also surveyed more than 500 community members.

Additionally, our partner organizations hosted or participated in 9 vaccination events, vaccinating more than 1,800 people in high-priority communities.

Project impact

2,089People reached through events

1,477COVID-19 vaccines administered

6Focus groups held

Blue silhouette map of the state of Texas with a white circle centered over the state containing the number ‘1’.

Counties impacted Bexar

PARTNERS Community Partners

The success of this Texas CEAL Consortium project is due to the dedicated work of our community partners. Alamo Colleges (supports CHW initiative) Atascosa County Translational Advisory Board Bexar County Health Collaborative Bexar County Translational Advisory Board Dr. Valerio-Shewmaker from UT Health School of Public Health Ella Austin Community Center Frio County Translational Advisory Board Frio Regional Hospital Karnes Community Health Center Karnes County Translational Advisory Board Pop Ratio Rural Telementoring Training Center San Antonio Metropolitan Health District San Antonio Public Library System San Martin de Porres South Texas Area Health Education Center WestCare

Meet the principal investigator Robert L. Ferrer

Dr. Ferrer is a Texas CEAL Consortium principal investigator. He holds several other roles, including as Vice Chair for Research, Family and Community Medicine at UT Health San Antonio; Dr. John M. Smith, Jr. Professor of Family and Community Medicine; and Director, Community Engagement, Institute for the Integration of Medicine and Science (CTSA for UT Health San Antonio). Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at the San Antonio Regional Campus, UT Houston School of Public Health.

Project team members

The following team members contributed to this project.

Paula Winkler

Jasmine Rodriguez

Robert A. Clark

Melissa Valerio Shewmaker

Related Publications

The Texas Community-Engagement Research Alliance Against COVID-19 in Disproportionately Affected Communities (TX CEAL) Consortium

View this publication

Implementation of the Texas Community-Engaged Statewide Consortium for the Prevention of COVID-19