Now, they’re addressing vaccine hesitancy in San Diego’s Black communities.
“The hesitancy, as it relates to particularly African Americans, is a very earned one, as it relates to the history of vaccines in the country,” explained Samantha Gambles Farr, President of the San Diego Black Nurses Association, “however, we know that it’s very important for us to get this vaccine as it relates to the overall outcomes in that people who have been receiving these vaccines have not been dying as a result of COVID-19.”
San Diego Black Nurses Association President Samantha Gambles Farr joined KUSI for a discussion on the Association and how they’re addressing vaccine hesitancy in the Black community here in San Diego.
Less than 2 percent of people who have been vaccinated in San Diego County are Black, data show
Black residents make up nearly 5 percent of the county’s population and account for 4,875 cases per 100,000 residents. That’s higher than rates among White and Asian residents but lower than rates among Latinos and Pacific Islanders.
The county has said it is placing vaccination sites in areas with large minority populations that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
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The county operates vaccination superstations in La Jolla, Chula Vista, La Mesa, San Marcos and Del Mar as well as some smaller operations. Its first mass immunization site near Petco Park will close permanently Saturday.
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A limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine combined with language and technology barriers are keeping many San Diegans of color waiting for their shot at immunity.
Most White San Diegans eligible for the vaccine have gotten a shot, with roughly 551 vaccinated per 1,000 eligible residents, compared to 527 for Latinos, 520 for Asians and 349 for Black San Diegans, according to data on current vaccinations from the county’s vaccine dashboard and eligibility estimates from the San Diego Workforce Partnership.
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Some of the county’s demographic data, posted on its online dashboard, is poorly defined. Roughly 15 percent of those vaccinated are listed as “other race,” and 12 percent did not disclose their race or ethnicity. Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said on Thursday that the county is still looking into the matter, noting that the dashboard combines data reported from various sources.