A series of town halls on the COVID-19 vaccine is planned by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Dion Williams, director of the governor’s Faith-Based Affairs Office, tells WSJM News the first one will be this Thursday with guest speakers from the faith community. An imam, a rabbi, a bishop, and a reverend will all be there. Williams says faith leaders are uniquely positioned to reach people, and the goal is to talk about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.
“There are a lot of myths, a lot of fictional statements that are going out in the community currently, and what we want to do is lay facts to the questions, dispel all rumors, and make sure people have a clear, concise message,” Williams said.
The clergy will be joined by Dr. Herbert Smitherman of Detroit Receiving Hospital and Michigan chief medical officer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun to take questions. Thursday’s engagement will be livestreamed over the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Facebook page from 4 to 5 p.m. Williams says additional streams are being planned for the coming months.
