This event has passed | Addressing Vaccine Uncertainty in Kansas with the Film SHOT IN THE ARM and Live Q&A Panel Presentation

Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) hosted an opportunity to watch a 60-minute Sneak Peek Preview and participate in a Live Q&A Panel Presentation for the documentary, SHOT IN THE ARM. The Sneak Peek Preview was open November 14-16, 2022 followed by the Live Q&A Panel Presentation on November 17, 2022 at noon and an Encore Sneak Peek Preview open from November 18-20, 2022.

Before anyone had heard of COVID-19, filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy (THE GARDEN, FOOD EVOLUTION) began investigating the global measles epidemic. Filming with top public health officials–including Tony Fauci–as well as rare interviews with anti-vaccine activists who were persuading parents by the millions to refuse vaccines for their children.

Then COVID-19 happened.

Acting quickly, Kennedy shifted his directorial eye to this once-in-a-century tragedy. Both skeptical and hopeful, SHOT IN THE ARM explores vaccine hesitancy historically and in the context of our modern pandemic. Can we replace cynicism with healthy curiosity and bridge the political divides that make us sick?

Visit the film website, shotinthearm.blackvalleyfilms.com, for more information and to watch the teaser.

This was all made possible by a PAVE Grant. See kansascovidgrants.com for more information about PAVE Grants. IKC applied for and received a PAVE grant to bring the documentary SHOT IN THE ARM to Kansas to make a positive impact in addressing vaccine uncertainty, including for COVID-19 vaccination.

The Sneak Peek Preview (and Encore) gave registrants virtual access to watch a 60-minute cut of the film, SHOT IN THE ARM. Viewers were encouraged to watch the film and then attend the Q&A Panel Presentation with filmmaker Academy Award Nominee Scott Hamilton Kennedy and panelists:

• Representative John Eplee, MD (Family Physician and Kansas House Representative for District 63)
• Blima Marcus, DNP, ANP-BC, RN, OCN (Director of E.M.E.S Initiative)
• Karen Ernst, MA (Director of Voices for Vaccines)

The film and events were designed to bring awareness and understanding to vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, while inspiring efforts to build confidence in vaccination and public health for the future.

IKC created a SHOT IN THE ARM event webpage on the IKC website. The events were promoted with emails sent out to IKC listservs and immunization partners, social media posts and ads, and amplified by Event Partners who committed to sharing about the events in their organization, networks, and communities. Event Partners were encouraged to forward promotional emails and use the Promotional Toolkit to spread the word. All promotional materials were developed in collaboration with the filmmaker and production company, Black Valley Films. (Note: If your organization is interested in hosting a similar event, templates of IKC’s materials will be available upon request.)

To capture registration information (Name, Email, Organization, and Home Address) and limit access to the link for the Sneak Peek Preview, IKC used the Eventbrite ticket platform. Eventbrite is free to use for free events.

Over 270 unique individuals registered for at least one of the events (Sneak Peek Preview and/or Live Q&A Panel)! People from all across the state of Kansas registered, including folks in IKC’s ten focus counties - Wyandotte, Ford, Finney, Shawnee, Geary, Reno, Sedgwick, Morton, Stanton, and Riley. This success in reaching a diverse audience can largely be attributed to IKC’s fantastic and dedicated Event Partners!

Email IKC staff to learn more about our experience and reach out to Black Valley Films for packages and pricing.