News

Bubba Wallace Partners With Novant Health To Encourage Public To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JUNE 07: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 McDonald's Chevrolet, wears a "I Can't Breathe - Black Lives Matter" T-shirt under his fire suit in solidarity with protesters around the world taking to the streets after the death of George Floyd on May 25 while in the custody of Minneapolis, Minnesota police, stands during the national anthem prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 07, 2020 in Hampton, Georgia. (Image: Getty)

NASCAR star Bubba Wallace continues to use his platform for the greater good.

Wallace is partnering with Novant Health to address the hesitancy to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Novant Health announced the partnership with a press release on Wednesday.

Based in North Carolina, Novant Health is partnering with Wallace to bring awareness and end hesitancy to get vaccinated. “I’m really excited to partner with Novant Heath this year on several community initiatives, starting with getting my COVID vaccine this week,” said Wallace in the press release. “For me, it’s important to learn about the vaccine and do my part to help get us back to normal.”

Novant Health is seeking to increase vaccination rates across minority communities. The healthcare system has worked to close health equity gaps. “We thank Bubba for stepping up and using his voice, which helps educate members of our communities who may not trust or want the vaccine,” Carl Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health, said. “It’s vital we do all that we can to show our communities that the vaccines are safe and effective.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

On Tuesday, Wallace and 50 of his 23XI racing teammates and their immediate families received their first doses of the vaccine. They all received the vaccines in Wallace’s team shop in North Carolina.

Wallace and his crew were originally scheduled to receive the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, but the U.S. FDA recommended the immediate halt of using the company’s vaccine because six women developed a rare blood clot disorder within two weeks of receiving the shot.

Instead, they received the Pfizer vaccine, but the drama did not deter the racing driver. “Seeing that they are taking a pause and doing more research and figuring out what other avenues they need to go down to make this perfect,” Wallace said. “Just gives you reassurance.”

NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty released a public service announcement with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services about getting vaccinated. “It doesn’t only help me; it helps my family and all of the people I associate with,” Petty said of getting vaccinated. “You are not only helping yourself; you are helping your neighbors.”