7.20.21
Son of Inequity
According to Virginia Commonwealth University, unvaccinated African American, Hispanic and Asian residents of Virginia are more likely than unvaccinated White state residents to get the Covid-19 vaccine. This is welcome news in light of earlier surveys that seemed to indicate that African Americans were less likely to be vaccinated and more suspicious about the safety of the vaccines.
According to VCU News: “While Virginia has now surpassed the 70% mark for vaccinations among adults, there are significant differences among racial and ethnic groups regarding willingness to get the vaccine, according to the new statewide vaccine poll conducted for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management by the Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.”
In the latest RISE survey, six percent of unvaccinated White residents of Virginia said that they were willing to be vaccinated. However, all unvaccinated minorities expressed a stronger interest in getting the vaccine, with fifteen percent, ten percent, and eleven percent of unvaccinated African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics, respectively, saying that they are likely to get vaccinated.
“Objective and relevant observation of the effects of race in American society is displayed by these poll responses. These data can be used to address the systemic and recurring effects in fostering the role of government,” said former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder.