ANAHEIM, Calif. — A Latino Covid-19 vaccination gap in California's third-largest county is causing medical workers and community groups to rush to close inequalities before the holidays.
Latinos are the second largest demographic in Orange County, accounting for 35 percent of the population, but they have the lowest vaccination rate -- 21.8 percent -- according to data from the OC Health Care Agency.
A similarly worrying trend continues across the state. Hispanics are the largest ethnic or racial group in the state, but they rank last in vaccinations, with at least 54 percent receiving one dose of a vaccine.
According to Dr. Ilan Shapiro, medical director of health education for AltaMed, a Latino health care provider in Southern California, there are numerous factors contributing to the gap.
"They're communities with two or three jobs and now they're essential workers and sometimes it's just hard to get an extra day off to get the vaccine," said Shapiro, a Mexican-American physician who has been actively involved. in Latino health care. , also at the national level and in Mexico. Misinformation about vaccines, hesitation, gaps in knowledge and problems surrounding distribution are factors that contribute to the low rates among Latinos in the province, he said.
Despite the fact that vaccines are free, some do not know that they are available, even without health insurance.
AltaMed's efforts to close the gap include face-to-face outreach, where they meet with patients and their relatives at community events to address any concerns about the vaccine.
While Shapiro said it was an "honor" to have patients contact AltaMed only for vaccination information, "it's even better if we're actually in the community where they need us."
Latino Health Access, a Santa Ana nonprofit, has been working on Covid outreach since the start of the pandemic.
It has helped deliver vaccines through mobile clinics in some of the worst affected neighborhoods by partnering with local health authorities.
The most effective strategy was to use volunteer community workers, or promoters (promoters), to educate the community in popular locations. These promoters interact directly with people and have become reliable sources of information for a community plagued by misinformation.
“We've had to adapt because we're finding different needs or different groups that need to be addressed in very specific ways,” said Loreta Ruiz, deputy director of the Latino Health Access Covid-19 response team.
"It takes a few conversations — not just one, but it probably takes a few people to have two conversations and then three," to feel comfortable taking a vaccine, she said.
A new focus: vaccinating children
As groups strive to increase the number of adults and teens in Orange County getting vaccinated, they are now also turning to make sure children ages 5 to 11 get the newly approved shot.
"Right now, parents want to know more about how safe the vaccine is for their children," Loreta said.
Latino Health Access builds on the Covid information sessions it has held for parents and families since the start of the pandemic. For children, it has created a coloring book to educate them about Covid, avoidable safety measures and the vaccine.
It partnered with the OC Department of Education, which allowed it to widely distribute the book.
The strategy has proved effective.
"Children under 11, but who are aware of the virus and the vaccine as a way to be protected, want to get vaccinated," Loreta said. "We know a lot of parents who want to vaccinate their children, and they are ready."
Increased vaccinations in children would help reduce transfer points, breakthrough cases and fewer Covid mutations, Shapiro said.
In California, parents can register their children for vaccinations by visiting the state's MyTurn portal. Orange County residents will soon be able to schedule appointments through Othena. Pharmacies such as CVS will also offer appointments.
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