Courtesy of Prairie View A&M University
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing (CON) students have played a significant role in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. With a recent Texas A&M University Health Science Center and Texas Department of State Health Services award of $132,609, Clinical Assistant Professor Antonea’ Jackson, Ph.D., RN, CNE, aims to further increase COVID-19 vaccination rates, this time in targeted communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected African Americans and communities of color. Comparably, the influenza pandemic of 1918 and the need for care specifically for African Americans was the impetus for establishing PVAMU’s College of Nursing. Now, over 100 years later, Jackson is doing similar work.
“PVAMU and the CON have a unique perspective, expertise, and sphere of influence, and we should be directly involved in research that affects our community,” said Jackson when asked about the significance of the project.
For Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., P.E, MBA, vice president of the Division of Research & Innovation at PVAMU, he applauds Jackson for pursuing a timely research project that will impact and, perhaps, save lives.
“The Prairie View A&M College of Nursing has played an integral part in the health and care of others,” he said. “It is an astounding accomplishment for Dr. Jackson to be selected by TAMU Health Science Center and State Health Services to study and provide timely healthcare for residents who are often underserved, which could be life-saving.”
Jackson stated,” This is my first award as a principal investigator, so I am looking forward to learning and engaging in the process in this role. More importantly, I am excited to educate, provide accurate information, dispel myths, and ultimately influence and improve the health of persons who look like me.”
Jackson’s project, titled Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach and Education, will allow nursing students to engage with the community, provide education and meet people where they are to influence health choices. It aims to increase knowledge of and access to COVID-19 vaccines, explicitly targeting communities impacted by the disease disproportionately.
The funding also allows for expanded community engagement efforts, including:
- community-based vaccination events,
- developing evidence-based educational resources and virtual events to address vaccine hesitancy and other barriers to vaccination, and
- collaboration with influential stakeholders and community partners.
The project has support from several experts from the CON, including co-principal investigators Debbie Jones, Ph.D., RN; Sheila Harvin, Ph.D., RN, CNS-P/MH; Hilda Eagleton, DNP, RN; and Jerrel Moore, Ph.D. The co-investigator for this vital research is Ruby Benjamin-Gardner, Ph.D. MPH. The assembled group will work closely with a Faculty Grant Team, consisting of Stacy Sam, Ph.D., RN, MSN, MPH; Pamela Cormier, DNP, MHA, RN; and Cindy Wallace, MSN, FNP-BC, AAHIVS, all within the College of Nursing.
The project aligns with Jacksons’ research interests, including the cultural competence of nurse educators and reducing health disparities through increasing diversity in nursing.
“There is a great need for healthcare workers, specifically nurses, to reflect the population to address the healthcare needs of a diverse population,” she said. “To be awarded support for what I consider critical work to increase vaccination rates and provide culturally sensitive information specifically to those within our community is so very exciting.”
This article by Karen B. Cotton originally appeared in Research and Innovation’s February edition of “On the Rise.”
