Interview by Natasha Gonzales
Article by Celinda De La Fuente
Vyas Sarabu, second year medical student at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), is one of the medical students conducting a community needs assessment regarding “what has motivated people to get the Covid-19 vaccine, specifically with Latino Communities, what has helped people in the Latino Community get the Covid-19 vaccine, what are their feelings on the process of getting the vaccine, and how do they feel about things in the future with the vaccine, like boosters and variants,” states Sarabu.
This research project is geared toward our gente, because “historically, we found that Latino communities have been underserved medically, and especially with the vaccines. We looked at the data and have seen that a lot of Latino communities maybe aren’t getting the resources that they deserve. So our goal with these focus groups is to hear from [people] like you in the community, better understand what your experience is with the vaccine, and how we can create resources to help people like you get the vaccine,” explains Sarabu.
Focus groups, of about 20-30 people, will be held virtually over Zoom and will only take an hour of your time. Compensation for your time will be a $20 gift card. UTHSCSA have openings for two more focus groups this week:
September 15, 2021, Spanish focus group from 6pm-7pm.
September 16, 2021, English focus group from 6pm-7pm.
The focus groups they conducted thus far “have gone very well. It’s a positive atmosphere, it’s a safe space. Everybody is welcome to come.”
“We just want to have a conversation, get to know you better, get to know why you got the vaccine better, and just learn more about your experience,” concludes Sarabu.
For more information:
Call or text: 210-692-4318
Email: sarabu@livemail.uthscsa.edu
