While some countries vie for the COVID-19 vaccine -- like residents in the Philippines lining up at 2 a.m. for a chance at a shot in the arm -- U.S. officials, healthcare workers and community organizers double down to try to get Americans vaccinated by way of mandates and regulations, grassroots organizing and campaigning, all while facing hesitancy and waiting for the full authorization of the vaccine from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This is “Connect the Dots” from Audacy, a weekly news podcast that dives into one of the biggest topics of the week with host Lynda Lopez from WCBS News Radio 880.

Guests: Marty Hames, Community Liaison/Media Relations, Circle the City; Rafael Velazquez, Associate Director of Social & Health Services at The Unity Council; William ‘Bill’ Cafaro, Chief Attorney, Law Offices of William Cafaro; Dr. Nancy Pire-Smerkanich, Assistant Professor, Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences in the School of Pharmacy at the USC; Dr. Bob Wachter, Dept. of Medicine Chair, UCSF.

Special thanks to Bernard Tibudan and Anjo Bagaoisan (ABS-CBN) and our featured correspondents.