The Powerhouse Science Center is hosting a virtual public information session about COVID-19 vaccines and public health that will feature local pediatricians and a representative from San Juan Basin Public Health.
The session is part of a program designed to inform residents about vaccine efficacy through local sources, said Jeff Susor, Powerhouse executive director.
Since the pandemic took off in March 2020, Powerhouse leadership has asked itself what role the Powerhouse should play in the pandemic, he said.
Early into COVID-19, Powerhouse staff members manufactured face masks, hospital gowns and respirators to address the global supply shortage. When supplies became more widely available, the Powerhouse shifted its focus to keeping kids in school, Susor said.
Now, the Powerhouse is hosting information sessions to engage residents with questions and concerns they may have about vaccines. How effective are vaccines? What risks do they pose? How do they interact with the body?
One session, “The Current State of Public Health,” is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and will be presented by SJBPH.
The lecture will be hosted on the Powerhouse Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/powscicenter.
Marc Masor, Powerhouse board member, previously gave a virtual lecture on Jan. 18 called “vaccines and immunity.”
“(We are) looking at the real disparities around vaccine comfort and adoption in rural communities compared to other communities and looking at how we can support parents in making well-informed decisions, whatever their choice is,” Susor said.
Susor said Powerhouse staff members and administration realize Durango and La Plata County have diverse communities where people have many different ideas about COVID-19 vaccines. In discussions with health care providers, he learned public health concerns are with misinformation and how polarized COVID-19 has become. Susor said the best thing the Powerhouse can do as a science center is to give parents a pathway to talk with providers and public health officials.
“We’re not shaming anyone who wants to make a different choice for vaccination, but we want to make sure parents have all the best information they can so they make good choices or make whatever choice they feel comfortable with for their family,” Susor said.
The Powerhouse has been hosting vaccination clinics for eligible children.
cburney@durangoherald.com
