Pool via AP
COVID-19 vaccines are now open to all Ohio adults. In fact, supply is so readily available, many clinics are offering walk-in appointments to get the shot.
But racial disparities in COVID vaccinations persist. Less than a quarter of Black Ohioans have gotten a vaccine, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. That’s compared to nearly 40% of white Ohioans.
Columbus Urban League and New Salem Baptist Church are trying to address that disparity with vaccine clinics this weekend.
Pastor Keith Troy said both access and trusted voices are crucial to addressing the vaccination disparity.
“You have to meet people where they are and also use people that have influence with those folks we’re trying to reach,” he said. “Our theme really has been, ‘If you don’t trust the science, trust a scientist,’ so we have many Black and Brown people who are scientists in our community that have been advocates for this.”