Marion County leaders launch ‘Got My Shot’ campaign

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis leaders are behind a new campaign that hopes to inspire more people of color to get a vaccine. It’s the Got My Shot campaign.

The idea is when people post about getting their vaccine and explain why they did, it will motivate others to do so as well, especially people of color. That’s because minority populations have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

According to the Got My Shot campaign website, people of color have been 2.6 times more likely to get COVID-19, 4.7 times more likely to be hospitalized and 2.1 times more likely to die from COVID-19. Yet when we look at vaccination numbers on Indiana’s pandemic dashboard, they aren’t lining up.

While Black people make up about 9.4% of Indiana’s population over the age of 16, Black residents comprise only about 5% of those who have been vaccinated.

Latino people comprise 6.2% of the state’s population and just 2.4% of those who have been vaccinated.

Indy leaders say some myths within communities are keeping people away from the shot. Indiana Fever’s Danielle Robinson posted to Twitter to dispel some of those myths as part of the campaign.

“Some people believe melanin in the Black skin will protect you from COVID-19. Truth, the color of your skin does not stop COVID-19. Neither will gargling with vinegar or saltwater. Register to get your vaccinated and be sure to share it on social media using the hashtag got my shot,” Robinson said.

“I got my shot to protect my friends, my family, and my loved ones. As soon as possible get your vaccine, so we can get arenas back to full capacity,” Aaron Holiday, Indiana Pacer, said.

You can take part in this effort by posting on social media using #GotMyShot.