People of color have been infected with COVID at a higher rate than whites. Now the drive is on to convince more minority and underserved communities that vaccinations are safe and effective against the disease.
The latest dedicated clinic happened Saturday, Feb. 20 at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church's Family Life Center on North Bronough Street in Frenchtown. In a matter of hours, all 500 doses of vaccine had been distributed. The Reverend R.B. Holmes is Bethel's pastor.
"This is the beginning of really trying to reach our overall goal in the state of Florida of trying to get 70% of African-Americans and other minorities vaccinate across the state of Florida by the end of this year."
That effort, he added, can only be successful by enlisting what he called the power of "trusted voices and trusted places" in the community.
"What Dr. Robinson is doing at FAMU, what other presidents are doing across the state of Florida, what our elected officials and grass roots leaders are doing. Trusted voices, trusted venues will get us to that 70% of having African-Americans and other minorities vaccinated."
Last week, the C.D.C. reported 6% of Florida's African-Americans had been vaccinated against COVID-19. Meanwhile, Blacks comprised 14% of the state's COVID cases.
