Hispanic Communities and COVID-19 Vaccinations

The United States’ vaccination campaign has administered more than 143 million doses, with 15.5% of the total US population considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But the campaign has failed to reach some of the most vulnerable populations, including Hispanic communities, according to the New York Times.

Across the country, Hispanic people are underrepresented among those vaccinated for COVID-19. White, non-Hispanic people have received a higher share of COVID-19 vaccines compared to their share of cases and deaths, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). This trend is also seen in states that have large Hispanic populations.

For example, in California, 21% of vaccinations have gone to Hispanic people, while they account for 55% of cases, 46% of deaths, and 40% of the total population in the state.

Alongside inequities faced by communities of color that have caused Black and Latinx people to be disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, various barriers are causing limited access to vaccines and preventing Hispanic people from achieving higher vaccination rates.

Scheduling a vaccine requires access to the internet and digital tools, which can be limited for older people and immigrants. Language barriers prevent people from knowing how to make a vaccine appointment and learn about eligibility, as most information about the COVID-19 vaccines are in English.

Fear is another potential reason why Hispanic people are underrepresented among the demographics of vaccinated people in the US. For example, many people are unaware that COVID-19 vaccines are free for all people and are afraid it will cost too much to get vaccinated, and that their work will not provide time off. In addition, undocumented immigrants may be worried about their immigration status should they choose to get the vaccine.