The distribution of COVID vaccines – 19 has been uneven and not all states report the race of those who receive it. California is one of the states that does not report which racial groups have been vaccinated, so they are being asked to share their statistics.
“That way we can find a solution so that the most needy receive it,” said Dr. Daniel Turner-Lloveras, founder of the Latin Coalition against COVID, during the videoconference “ Mortality rates of COVID highlights health equity issues ”, organized by Ethnic News Media, in which several experts on the subject participated.
“There is only 20 states in the United States that are releasing data related to the race of those who receive the vaccines. This is something we need to correct immediately , ”said Turner-Lloveras. It is extremely important if we consider that the 55% of all deaths for COVID in California have been Latino.
He noted that if we cannot measure the number of people who have been vaccinated and assess the disparity, It is very difficult to solve the problem.
“If we see the numbers where the race is asked when applying a vaccine, the proportion of African Americans has been less than half and in disproportionate numbers. ”
The doctor pointed out that it is important to work on the doubts that people has about the vaccine. “The solution is to involve the community, have culturally appropriate virtual meetings in each neighborhood and be taught in the language they speak. We need to have open conversations about concerns and mistrust of the pharmaceutical industry. ”
Impact on Native Communities
Virginia Hedrick, Executive Director from the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health, said COVID rates – 19 have been three times more among Alaska Natives and American Indians than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Meanwhile, the levels of hospitalization have been 4 or 5 times more.
“ We are dying of COVID at a rate 1.8 times more than non-Hispanic whites, but those who have between and 29 year olds die at a rate 10 .5 times more than non-Hispanic whites ; who are between 39 and 39 years, the proportion of deaths is 11. 6; and for those from 40 to 49 years, it is 8 times more. ”
When asked the reason for these figures, he explains that these infection and mortality rates have to do with a historical trauma, the theft of their land, their children and their culture, but also because they have a community with high levels of diabetes, substance abuse, suicides, and disproportionate numbers of high pressure.
Regarding vaccines against COVID, he pointed out that thanks to the lobbying done, they have directly received a batch of vaccines in California, where more than live , 000 American Indian and Alaska Native, although they are not enough for those who need them.
“They have been delivered 20, 000 vaccines to indigenous and urban reservations, but it has been very hard because we have seen the elderly die and with them, we lose a knowledge and language that we can never recover. ”
They don’t get to where they are needed
Dr. David M. Carlisle, president and director of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine in the Watts-Willowbrook area of Los Angeles County, said he does not know any Latino or African American who does not know someone, a family member or friend, who has died of COVID – 19 due to the overwhelming impact of the pandemic in these communities.
Hence, he is concerned about the linear progress in the application of vaccines, when the opposite needs to be done. “We need to be up there and that is a failure of public health policies.”
He criticized the closure of large vaccination centers such as the from Dodger Stadium because they ran out of doses. “ This is a disaster for Los Angeles, but it reflects the failure of the federal government to deliver vaccines where they are most needed” .
And he questioned even more that enclaves that are not diverse in the area of Los Angeles and southern California, his pharmacies are receiving vaccines; and were only delivered to an ethnically diverse location in Los Angeles.
Double impact
Adam Carbullido , Director of Policy and Advocacy of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations), said Pacific Islanders have the highest confirmed rate of COVID cases – 19 among Asian-American communities, and is not being reported in the statistics.
“It is critically important to recognize that our experiences are not monolithic, and that there is a huge difference between the Asian-American experience and that of Native Americans. -Hawaiians and those from the Pacific Islands. ”
And although all have been hit, he said that the pandemic has made it clear underlying health disparities, and systemic inequalities and discrimination, all of which have contributed to the disproportionate impact of the virus on minorities.
“I want to note that Asian Americans have been doubly impacted since during the pandemic the cases of hate and xenophobia have increased in their against across the nation. ”
He added that many patients have reported fear of seeking the care they need. “ There is real emotional trauma as a result of bullying in Asian American communities and this will have long-term consequences on their health .”
