Biden administration launches vaccine hotline to bridge the digital divide

Within its endeavor to encourage 70% of US adults to get at least one dose of vaccination by 4 July 2021, the Biden administration kicked off a new vaccination assistance hotline to bridge the digital divide by providing information for people who would prefer to get information via telephone. The hotline, which builds on digital vaccine-finder sites and was operating for weeks, provides assistance in English and Spanish among other languages. ‘We know that millions of people in America don’t have consistent access to broadband or are uncomfortable navigating the web. Centering equity in our pandemic response, as the President has prioritized, requires us to meet people where they are. The 1-800 number is in place to ensure that people who aren’t online (as well as people who don’t speak English or Spanish) have access to all the information they need to make the decision to keep themselves, loved ones, and the community safe by getting vaccinated,’ noted Biden administration’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Chair Dr Marcella Nunez Smith.