ST. LOUIS, March 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) and several members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame family are partnering to increase education and awareness around COVID-19 vaccines through a series of new 15-, 30- and 60-second public service announcements (PSAs), with a particular focus on communities of color. The PSAs will air nationally on television networks and over digital platforms beginning today.

Delivering the message that COVID-19 vaccines protect not only the recipient but also their friends and families will be Hall of Famers ANTHONY MUÑOZ (in both English and Spanish), DARRELL GREEN, AENEAS WILLIAMS and DREW PEARSON; along with LISA SALTERS , a Hall of Fame Selector and TV broadcaster; and friends of the Hall DAWN STALEY , a three-time Olympic gold medal winner and coach of the 2017 national champion University of South Carolina women's basketball team; and IMAN MCFARLAND , Chief Operating Officer for 21st Century Expo Group and an ambassador for the Hall's and Centene's joint "Strong Youth Strong Communities" programming.

Each 30-second message can be previewed and downloaded here: Anthony Muñoz (English), Anthony Muñoz (Spanish), Darrell Green , Aeneas Williams , Drew Pearson , Lisa Salters , Dawn Staley , Iman McFarland . The campaign's 15- and 60-second versions can be found here.

Public health officials have stated that widespread adoption of the vaccine will be necessary to stop the spread of the virus. The vaccines have been proven safe and effective by the FDA, especially at preventing severe illness and hospitalization related to COVID-19, which has affected communities of color at a disproportionately higher rate. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control website (www.cdc.gov) for information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination and other safety information. 

To achieve "herd immunity," roughly 80% of the U.S. population needs to be vaccinated, health officials have said. Multiple surveys have indicated high rates of "vaccine hesitancy" within the African American community and other communities of color, which is impacting immunization rates. Recent data show Blacks make up only 6% of those who had been vaccinated despite constituting 13% of the population and accounting for 15% of all COVID-19 deaths.

 "Uncertainty around the COVID-19 vaccine could lead some people to avoid or delay receiving the shot. We are concerned that this could have significant consequences for their health and the health of their families," said Dr. Ken Yamaguchi, Chief Medical Officer for Centene. "Through this campaign, we want to empower people to actively contribute to their health and well-being by informing them about the benefits of the vaccine."

The PSA campaign is designed to build confidence around the vaccine and encourage people to get vaccinated. The messaging not only focuses on the vaccine as a means of protecting oneself, but also to stop the spread of the virus to family and friends, those who "Count on You." In the PSAs, Muñoz, Green, Williams, Pearson, Salter, Staley and McFarland talk about the people in their lives who are counting on them to get the vaccine to stay healthy. 

"As we've seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we're a team and we need to work together to stop the virus from spreading," said David Baker, President & CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "We recognize there are a lot of questions out there about the vaccine, so we want to make sure we're reaching as many people as possible. We thank Anthony, Darrell, Aeneas, Drew, Lisa, Dawn and Iman for encouraging everyone to get vaccinated for the sake of the people counting on them."

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is Centene's Official Youth Wellness Partner. Through the "Strong Youth Strong Communities" program over the past four years, Hall of Famers have discussed such important issues with youth as mental health, suicide and bullying. During the COVID-19 pandemic, "virtual" Youth Summits have been held in several states on these topics. For its work on these issues, the Pro Football Hall of Fame was the recipient of the 2019 Booker T. Washington award from the National Minority Quality Forum for its commitment to advancing health equity.

For more information about COVID-19 and available vaccines, visit the CDC website.

About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 50 company, is a leading multi-national healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality, and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace, the TRICARE program, and individuals in correctional facilities. The Company also serves several international markets, and contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide a variety of specialty services focused on treating the whole person. Centene focuses on long-term growth and the development of its people, systems and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities, and government partners.

Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://investors.centene.com/.

ABOUT THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the National Football League, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution with the Mission to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. AAM accreditation is national recognition for the museum's commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards of museum operation and public service.

Hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe travel to Canton annually to experience "The Most Inspiring Place on Earth!" that chronicles America's most popular sport. Fans can also enjoy the Hall of Fame Store at the Hall, and online at www.profootballhof.com/store, for merchandise from all 32 NFL clubs plus the Hall of Fame. Proceeds from the Store support the Hall's Mission. 

Construction on Hall of Fame Village Powered by Johnson Controls, a mixed-use development project, is under way in Canton to transform the Hall of Fame's campus.

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SOURCE Centene Corporation