BACI Partners with IMHC and IDOH on COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign

INDIANAPOLIS, January, 1, 2021 — The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) and Indiana Minority Health Coalition (IMHC) to collaborate on the COVID-19 Vaccine project supported by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH).

Through this unique collaborative campaign, the parties will work together in educational programing, promoting awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine within the Burmese community, including, but not limited to, hosting a series of talks and community meetings, providing Burmese and Chin translation as well as transmitting reliable and trusted sources of information to the community.

“We are pleased to collaborate with our partners, like IMHC and IDOH, pulling the resources together in our fight against COVID-19, especially on a vaccine -the best and the most hopeful news one can expect to hear in 2020,” said Elaisa Vahnie, Executive Director of BACI who also serves on the COVID-19 Indiana Health Disparities Task Force.

Thanking the leadership of IDOH, the State Government, and partners, Mr. Vahnie — who testified before the interim study committee on public health, behavioral health, and human services at Indiana General Assembly in October — emphasized the importance of “fair and equitable” distribution of the vaccine, the “policies environment” that continues to ensure diverse and inclusive procedures through a cohesive, comprehensive and open process; this becomes systemic change put in place at every level of government, in line with the task force report, in an effort to address issues around the COVID-19 pandemic, but also this is put in place at health and human services, education, and all sectors that serve and engage with minority populations and Hoosiers as a whole.

“The Indiana Minority Health Coalition values our partnership with the Burmese American Community Institute to promote the COVID-19 vaccine awareness within the Burmese community,” reported Anita Ohmit, VP of Research.

As part of the campaign, the project will arrange for professional translation of project materials in two commonly spoken languages of Myanmar, Burmese and Chin Hakha Lai.

“I am excited about this campaign in promoting the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. I am confident that this collaborative project will contribute to the success of vaccines and have a positive impact on our shared community,” added Lian Sang, MPH, who serves as a project director of the campaign.

About Burmese American Community Institute

The Burmese American Community Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides educational and vocational support to the Burmese community in greater Indianapolis. The BACI supports community members regionally, nationally, and globally through strategic partnerships and advocacy. Since its inception, the BACI has directly served over 13,000 individuals and families.

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