“We need to do something.”

That was the message Warren County Commissioner Jeff Eggleston brought to Monday’s work session where he proposed a vaccine promotion initiative.

Citing increasing case counts and a low vaccination route, he recommended that the county use some American Rescue Plan funds to undertake the campaign.

Eggleston said it’s his view that state and federal initiatives have run their course.

“(We) need to do something,” he said.

The gist of his proposal would be to utilize local community leaders to speak to the importance of getting vaccinated.

He said that without the majority of county residents getting vaccinated COVID-19 is “going to continue to be an issue.”

“I think there are a lot of people that would be interested” in participating, Eggleston said.

A proposal estimates the cost at $22,784 for various print and digital advertising to run from September through November.

“The advertising should not be cookie cutter, CDC developed messaging, which would potentially fall on deaf ears,” a proposal for the plan from Eggleston explained, “but instead revolve around local voices, medical professionals and citizens who either have a serious leadership role or have been personally affected by COVID-19.”

Eggleston said part of the motivation to undertake this is to find a “local angle to it that isn’t just kind of a stale discussion over vaccination.

“I think that the hospital has done a lot,” he added, “everything they can do. I think that it’s time for everybody else that is in a leadership position to try and support this.”

Commissioner Tricia Durbin said that the hospital asked for support in a number of areas and promotion was one.

She said she’s received “overwhelming support” from people in the community asking how they can support efforts either in promoting the benefits of vaccination or sharing experiences with the virus.

Durbin said the people who have spoken to her want to “try to find a way to help the public understand.”

Eggleston said he’s also had numerous people request something like this.

“This type of funding would allow that ability,” he said. “I think there are plenty of folks that would be part of the process.”

“I understand that this isn’t an easy topic to discuss around here,” Eggleston added.

The proposal to fund the initiative will be before the commissioners on Wednesday for formal action.