CDC data shows men, people of color lagging behind in receiving COVID vaccine

There’s a worrisome trend that shows men and people of color aren’t getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

That’s a concern for all of us because getting as many people vaccinated as possible means a return to a more normal life.

New CDC data from the first month of vaccinations shows 60% of those vaccinated are White.

That’s compared to 11% Latino and 5.4% Black.

Health officials said the skepticism is spread by rumors and false information online. They are now fighting that about as hard as they’re battling the virus itself.

“I really don’t trust it (the vaccine) because it actually came kinda fast,” Yanous Willis from the Playmakers Barbershop said.

“Seek out trusted sources of information about the vaccine. Facebook and your neighborhood NextDoor postings are not trusted sources,” Dr. Lynn Paxton, Director of Fulton County Board of Health said.

Mecklenburg County is mirroring that trend. Sixty-nine percent of people receiving the first dose are White.

County Commissioner Vilma Leake received both doses of the vaccine. She is encouraging seniors in her district to participate.

“I’m still saying to my seniors, especially my Black males and my Black women to please get this injection and get there on time,” Leake said. “They take you and guide you through the process without any problems at all.”

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Leake said a 93-year-old woman saw her get the COVID-19 vaccine on TV and it inspired her to get one. She said leading by example is key.

North Carolina’s Rev. Dr. William Barber, a well known civil rights leader, joined NCDHHS Dr. Mandy Cohen for a conversation about the vaccine.

He is pushing back against the misinformation and politicization.

“Those of you that are distorting the truth or our people, stop it,” Barber said. “This is about people living. This is about people dying.”

Barber said the only way out of this pandemic is to work together.

Cox Media Group