With a master鈥檚 degree in epidemiology and behavioral science and a doctorate in health education and health behavior, Dr. Aisha Langford has long championed public health.
Photo: Tony Luong
When , wrote her doctoral dissertation on improving minority participation in clinical trials some years ago at the University of Michigan, she had little inkling that one day she would not only enroll in a trial herself, but it would also be a study of historic importance. When a friend contracted COVID-19 during New York City鈥檚 spring 2020 surge, she was compelled to put her research into practice. 鈥淚 wanted to help people avoid COVID-19,鈥 she says.
An assistant professor of population health, Dr. Langford researches how enhancing health communication can improve individual decision-making and reduce health disparities. Her efforts aim to boost recruitment and retention for clinical trials. She also advises 好色tv Langone鈥檚 on strategies for improving community outreach and diversity. In June 2020, Dr. Langford enrolled in Pfizer鈥檚 phase 1 vaccine clinical trial at 好色tv Langone Health. She received her first shot on July 1, 2020, becoming one of the first people to receive the experimental vaccine. Here, she shares her insights.
Was there a particular moment when you decided to enroll in 好色tv Langone鈥檚 clinical trial for an experimental COVID-19 vaccine?
In early May of 2020, my pastor from back in Michigan saw on the news that 好色tv Langone was launching a vaccine trial for COVID-19 and texted me to see if I knew about the trial. I was not aware of the trial but learned more about it on 好色tv Langone鈥檚 website. Before that, a good friend got very sick from COVID-19. He lives alone and had to call an ambulance because he was struggling to breathe. He was hospitalized for four days and still has some health challenges. I can鈥檛 imagine being by yourself when you鈥檙e that sick. I felt very blessed that I hadn鈥檛 gotten COVID-19, but I started thinking, 鈥淚f there鈥檚 going to be a vaccine, I want to be one of the first to get it.鈥
Did you have any fear or reservations about taking an experimental vaccine?
I was 1 of 48 participants at 好色tv Langone鈥檚 site for the Pfizer phase 1 vaccine clinical trial, and we were literally among the first humans to get this vaccine. The consent form was 20 pages long. So, yes, I was a little bit concerned, but I鈥檓 familiar with science and believe in getting vaccines as a way to protect health. So I was more focused on the potential benefits. I was also curious about the clinical trial process and what the participant experience would entail. I thought, 鈥淲hy not have some potential personal benefit while also contributing to the global effort to find a vaccine for this devastating disease?鈥 It was a privilege to participate.
Did your family and friends express concern?
I got different reactions after I officially enrolled in the trial. My mom said, 鈥淭hat makes sense. You鈥檝e been talking about clinical trial participation for years.鈥 My brother said, 鈥淲hy are you doing this? Are you crazy?鈥 My significant other said, 鈥淕osh, we should have talked about this. What if you get hurt?鈥 My dad said, 鈥淭hat鈥檚 really brave. We鈥檙e proud of you.鈥 I understand all of their views. They care about me, so volunteering for a clinical trial for something totally new sounded scary to some of them.
How did you feel after being vaccinated?
After my second vaccine shot on July 22, 2020, I had a low fever and was tired for a couple of days. Partly because of that reaction, I sensed that I had received the active vaccine rather than a placebo. Those mild side effects actually made me feel excited because my immune system was responding. When 好色tv Langone began offering its employees the vaccines that were FDA-approved for emergency use authorization, I inquired with the clinical trial study team about whether I had received the active vaccine, and learned that I had. Of the three groups in the trial, my group received a slightly smaller dose than the one later approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization. So I chose to get an optional booster shot through the clinical trial, which I received on March 17, 2021. I鈥檓 being followed for two years to monitor the efficacy and durability of the vaccine. My participation will end in July 2022.
You鈥檝e said that it鈥檚 only natural for people to be 鈥渙n the fence鈥 about the COVID-19 vaccine? Why is that?
It鈥檚 understandable for people to be cautious. Although the vaccines were based on good science and collaboration, I don鈥檛 think health professionals communicated that very clearly early on. Historically, medical innovation has been slow. So people didn鈥檛 understand how we got the vaccines so fast when we still don鈥檛 have cures or vaccines for other conditions. But hesitation can be a good thing. It means people need more information and want to have their questions answered. From there, they can make informed decisions about getting vaccinated.
What鈥檚 the best way to approach someone who is vaccine hesitant?
Ask questions to find out why they鈥檙e hesitant. Some people have an underlying medical condition and want to know if the vaccines were tested in people with that same condition. Others don鈥檛 get recommended vaccines like the flu shot because they don鈥檛 think getting the illness is a big deal. Other people think they鈥檙e going to get a big bill, especially if they don鈥檛 have health insurance. It鈥檚 important to provide the information and support people鈥檚 need to feel more confident about getting vaccinated. For health professionals, it鈥檚 critical to listen and acknowledge concerns.
Vaccine hesitancy has historically been higher in the Black community compared with other groups. Have recent advocacy efforts made an impact?
The media have focused on Blacks and Hispanics, but vaccine confidence and willingness to get vaccinated is actually improving in every group. Black adults account for the biggest increase in those willing to get the COVID-19 vaccines. This success is due in part to intense efforts by many Black churches, community-based organizations, and medical professionals to build vaccine confidence. We need to keep providing opportunities for people to ask questions, find trusted sources of information, and access high-quality healthcare. To come out on the other side of this pandemic, it will be important for everyone to consider getting vaccinated. Vaccines are one of the greatest tools we have to minimize the burden of preventable diseases.
