MONICA CARRILLO-CASAS
Vandal Solutions: Vaccines are Key to Preventing Diseases
By Monica Carrillo-Casas, March 12, 2023
(Left to Right) Yasmine Tovar, Alexa Banda and Santiago Ixta Acuna talk in detail about their project and how their work "comes close to home." (Photo credit: Monica Carrillo-Casas
MOSCOW, Idaho– The Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE) Team has partnered up with Vandal Solutions to address limited access to healthcare in rural communities and/or health disparities among rural and underserved communities, according to their website. Their goal is to reach community opinion leaders and provide a safe space for individuals hesitant of vaccines.
Yasmin Tovar, Aleea Banda and Santiago Ixta Acuña, all seniors at the University of Idaho and members of Vandal Solutions, stated how crucial this project is for vaccine-hesitant folks.
“Coming from a background of farmworkers, it’s just something we’ve always been passionate about and it’s something that is part of our identity,” said Acuña. “So I think being able to give back in this specific way drew me into the team.”
Vandal Solutions is a not-for-profit group, part of UI, that provides professional-quality marketing as well as advertising services for local businesses. This has allowed for students to get a sense of real-world experiences through team projects, marketing and sales.
With all in agreement of a language barrier within vaccine hesitancy, specifically in the Treasure Valley where they originate from, they believe it’s not just another project, but a way to unite and address uncertainty that has loomed over community members statewide.
Vandal Solutions is a not-for-profit, student-run business that is offered as an upper level course at the University of Idaho College of Business and Economics. (Photo credit: Monica Carrillo-Casas)
“I think there was a lot of hesitancy when COVID-19 was at its peak,” Acuña said. “But I think, almost, being able to take that power back and spread actual facts, actual information and evidence help, not only COVID-19 vaccines, but educating everyone on disease prevention of all sorts.”
Acuña states that Vandal Solutions has reached out to community leaders, even radio station La Perrona– known to update and inform the Latino community of news around Idaho, to extend their message to their target audience.
They plan to continue to reach out as they progress into the end of the semester to businesses and companies that align with their values and their mission for this group project, including their own twist for increased awareness.
“We are hoping to start a podcast in regards to getting these stories out of these students,” Tovar said. “One of our first episodes was a student, Jada; she is very passionate about the Latinx culture and does that through art– hopefully her story can impact others in getting vaccinated.”
Tovar, Banda and Acuña give a message in Spanish about why this project is so meaningful to them and their studies.
As they continue to try and mend the bridge of vaccine hesitancy acknowledging the language barrier and lack of reliable resources for the Latino community, there are others who don’t seem to be on the same page.
Rep. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, introduced legislation to criminalize administering an mRNA vaccine, which would include Pfizer and Moderna shots for COVID-19 last Friday, according to the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, vaccines Pfizer and Moderna received emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration to combat the virus. Both vaccines later were FDA approved.
If passed, this legislation would file a misdemeanor for anyone who administers this vaccine to any human.
Without any discussion for Nichol’s legislation, a public hearing will be required before going to the full Senate for a vote.