February 14, 2022
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Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-3536
Andy Owen, Deputy Director, Media Relations, 410-767-6491
Maryland Department of Health continues partnership with Baltimore City NAACP, encouraging Marylanders to get vaccinated and boosted
New PSA features Baltimore City NAACP President Rev. Kobi Little
Baltimore, MD —The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today launched the latest initiative in its partnership with the Baltimore City NAACP, a 30-second public service announcement featuring the Reverend Kobi Little, Baltimore City’s NAACP President.
In the video, Rev. Little serves as MDH’s newest GoVAX Ambassador, stressing the importance of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for Black people. Saying he has received two vaccines and a booster, he urges his audience to do the same.
“I encourage people who are experiencing fear about vaccination to reach out to trusted members in the community,” said Rev. Little. “Talk to people who have gotten vaccinated. Reach out to health care professionals. Ask someone to go with you if that’s what you need to get across the finish line. Please get vaccinated.”
This newest GoVAX PSA, which will begin running statewide on television and social media this week, was developed in collaboration with the Baltimore City NAACP as a concentrated effort to increase vaccination rates among the Black populations in Maryland. Data show that African American people are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the COVID virus than other racial and ethnic groups.
“The NAACP has been an important partner throughout the pandemic,” said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “We welcome Reverend Little as our newest GoVAX Ambassador. As President of the NAACP Baltimore City, Reverend Little is a trusted voice in the community, who can help educate and encourage community members to get vaccinated and boosted.”
MDH’s partnership with the NAACP has consisted of numerous grassroots outreach efforts, including the use of a “sound truck” in targeted ZIP codes to promote the importance of getting vaccinated and using protective measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. Following the route of the sound truck, volunteers distributed educational materials and free face masks in the designated neighborhoods.
Last month, MDH sponsored a virtual town hall in partnership with the Baltimore City NAACP, Casa de Maryland, Jai Medical Systems and WBFF-TV Fox 45. The town hall, called Combating Covid in Our Communities, aired multiple times on WBFF and featured a moderated panel discussion with medical professionals and community advocates, including Rev. Little. The panelists answered questions submitted by viewers that addressed concerns, corrected misinformation and encouraged all Marylanders to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
A series of short Q&A videos created from panelists’ responses during the town hall can be viewed at
covidLINK.maryland.gov.
The state’s multipronged GoVAX campaign, first launched in January 2021, was developed to encourage Marylanders to protect themselves, their families and their communities by getting vaccinated and boosted. The campaign has featured TV, radio, outdoor and digital advertising, social media, grassroots outreach, community-based messaging and virtual town halls.
Dozens of trusted leaders throughout the state have served as GoVAX Ambassadors, including physicians, first responders, faith and community leaders, sports figures, research scientists, health officers, elected officials and others.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines in Maryland, including vaccine resources, fact sheets and FAQs, visit
covidLINK.maryland.gov.
For the most recent Maryland COVID-19 vaccine data, visit
coronavirus.maryland.gov.
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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement. Follow us on Twitter @MDHealthDept and at Facebook.com/MDHealthDept.
