Texas launches next phase in vaccination campaign starting in Austin

The Texas Department of State Health Services is launching the next phase of its campaign encouraging Texans to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with a $1.5 million television and radio ad buy. The campaign combines general information on vaccine safety and effectiveness with messages geared toward specific groups that research shows tend to be less likely to get vaccinated.

The first ad, which starts running today, features Dr. Farris Blount talking to fellow Black Texans about the importance of getting vaccinated.

Digital ads are also running in English and Spanish featuring Dr. Ross, a Houston physician, and Dr. Emilie Prot, the DSHS regional medical director in Harlingen.

“Our research shows that individual health care professionals are the most trusted voices for people deciding whether to get vaccinated,” said DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt. “Over the coming weeks, we will continue to share messages encouraging various communities to get vaccinated. We are also relying on trusted voices within those communities to speak up and let their neighbors know that the available COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and the best way to end the pandemic and restore normalcy.”

Later this week, DSHS will have the first of 22 parking lot pop-up events around Texas. These 4-hour events, hosted in Walmart parking lots through mid-May, will feature a 16-foot video wall with facts about COVID-19 vaccines.

The first three events will be Thursday in Austin, Friday in Houston, and Saturday in Beaumont.