But language is far from the only issue.
Even after finding information in a language they understand, non-English speakers face a confusing mix of providers offering shots and technology needed to access appointments.
“There are barriers on top of barriers for these subsets,” said Bobby Mukkamala, a surgeon and chair of a subgroup of the Protect Michigan Coalition responsible for increasing vaccination rates among Michigan s Asian Pacific American population.
As of Wednesday, fewer than 55,000 non-Hispanic Asians, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders had received their first doses of vaccine, around 1.9% of the total number of vaccinated Michigan residents.
Health departments and advocates have attempted to address some of these issues.
Barriers on barriers: Non-English speakers face more than language issues in vaccine distribution
But language is far from the only issue.
Even after finding information in a language they understand, non-English speakers face a confusing mix of providers offering shots and technology needed to access appointments.
“There are barriers on top of barriers for these subsets,” said Bobby Mukkamala, a surgeon and chair of a subgroup of the Protect Michigan Coalition responsible for increasing vaccination rates among Michigan s Asian Pacific American population.
As of Wednesday, fewer than 55,000 non-Hispanic Asians, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders had received their first doses of vaccine, around 1.9% of the total number of vaccinated Michigan residents.
Efforts to get vaccine information to minority communities are starting to pay off and be noticed by some residents.
A town hall discussion and several campaigns to vaccinate people against COVID-19 have helped Lansing s Black residents understand the vaccines more, and for some, to be ready for their inoculation.
Plans were devised in late January by the Ingham County Health Department and the state Department of Health and Human Services to engage with residents in their respective languages and communities. One of the initiatives in the county was to partner with Lansing podcasters Mike and Erica Lynn to host a town hall discussion.