TEXAS — The next phase in the vaccination campaign was launched Monday in hopes to further influence Texans to get vaccinated, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

The campaign includes information about vaccine safety as well as community-focused messages to increase vaccinations in groups more unlikely to get vaccinated, as research shows.  

“Our research shows that individual health care professionals are the most trusted voices for people deciding whether to get vaccinated,” said DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt. “Over the coming weeks we will continue to share messages encouraging various communities to get vaccinated. We are also relying on trusted voices within those communities to speak up and let their neighbors know that the available COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to end the pandemic and restore normalcy.”

The first ad in the campaign, featuring Dr. Farris Blount, was recently made public and can be viewed here. Other digital ads are listed as well where health care professionals speak toward the importance of being vaccinated and some even go on to share their own personal vaccination experience.

The first of the 22 pop-up events around Texas are expected later in the week and each will last up to four hours. The events will take place through mid-May in Walmart parking lots.  

The first three events will be Thursday in Austin, Friday in Houston, and Saturday in Beaumont, according to Texas DSHS.

Austin's pop-up event will run from 4pm to 8pm at the Wal-Mart located at 710 E. Ben White Blvd.

DSHS says these are the following key takeways from the event:

• The vaccines were tested in clinical trials with diverse races and ethnicities.  
• The vaccines are working! Vaccines available from all manufacturers are highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death. The number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 has fallen by more than 75 percent since January.
• The vaccine will help you to get your day-to-day life back to normal, so you can do the things you love knowing you’re protected.

According to DSHS, its partnership is extended to "community organizations like United Way Greater Austin and Dell Medical School to encourage everyone in Austin to get vaccinated as soon as they can to protect themselves, their families and their friends."