Olveen Carrasquillo, scientist at UM, highlights that the mistrust of COVID-19 vaccines among Black Americans stems from a long history of medical mistreatment. Carrasquillo is leading an NIH study to dispel rumors about the vaccines and answer the legitimate questions many people have.

“There are certain community enclaves in Miami that are more isolated, and they’re getting information from sources that are harder for us to tap into and to counteract,” said Carrasquillo. “In addition to conspiracies, there are also the legitimate questions that we can address: How were the vaccines developed so quickly? What are the side effects?”

• Olveen Carrasquillo