Afro American scientist Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett Becomes a Role Model for Many for Her Contributions in Vaccine Development
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is one of the researchers who were at the forefront with her team at NIH and developed a vaccine with 94% effectiveness.
Dr. Corbett’s team at the National Institute of Health worked with a well-known pharmaceutical company Moderna to develop this vaccine.
She is a beacon of hope for the black community in the west because they find her relatable. They felt like someone is out there who understands the challenges a minority community goes through. Despite all of that she is leading the scientific development which fuelled the optimist among Afro Americans.
Dr. Corbett’s Major Role in Vaccine Development
Anthony Fauci, NIAID Director and chief medical advisor to the president stated, “That [Moderna] vaccine was actually developed in my institute’s vaccine research center by a team of scientists led by Dr. Barney Graham and his close colleague Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, or Kizzy Corbett. Kizzy is an African American scientist who is right at the forefront of the development of the vaccine.”
The Director emphasized Dr. Corbett’s work to assure the Black Americans that one of their own is at the forefront. So, there should not be any kind of mistrust between the government and the people.
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett’s major role in vaccine creation solved a much bigger problem of skepticism among Black Americans.
Research by the Covid Collaborative, the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), and UnidosUS found that just 14% of Black Americans trust that a vaccine will be safe and 18% trust it will be effective.
This mistrust exists due to America’s racial history with regard to medical research.
An Inspiration for Black Community
Sometimes the justifiable criticism of America’s vaccine research has led to the Black community being called ‘anti-science.’ Consequently, it leads to more and more hate and name-calling between communities and acts as a reason for the divide.
But, Dr. Corbett’s involvement in the matter has proven to lighten the atmosphere in the country. She took a holistic approach through educating people across the country.
Reassuring them that she empathizes with them. She did that through Twitter threads, talking to leaders of the communities.
Her scientific mission never deviated her from the responsibility she had for people looking up to her.
In an interview with CNN, she said, “What I say to people first is that I empathize, and then secondly is that I’m going to do my part in laying those bricks. And I think that if everyone on our side, as physicians and scientists, went about it that way, then the trust would start to be rebuilt.”
Young Girls Looking Up to Her
It is hard for many young Black Americans to find role models in their community. They find it difficult to study or work in an environment where many are oblivious to their culture and feelings.
Amidst all of this, Dr. Corbett is becoming an inspirational figure in the Black community and gives out a clear and loud message. The message is to excel in your professional and personal life and always be there for those in need.
The race of vaccination is still continued to this day. Although vaccines are being produced globally, strategic planning is needed for distribution.
