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A public event to discuss the results and recommendations will take place on Monday, December 14, 2020 from 4pm-5pm (https://fb.me/e/36JhxoVjZ)
A new poll finds that Massachusetts Latino residents are the least willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Compared to other groups, Latinos are the most apprehensive about being the first to get vaccinated.
The survey, sponsored by the Museum of Science, Boston, and conducted in partnership with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, highlights a major disparity between racial and ethnic groups when it comes to taking the vaccine, especially during the early stages.
The poll reveals greater hesitancy among Black and Latinx residents to take the vaccine early, which, according to Michael Curry, incoming CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Center, should be a warning that without a focused effort, we could see major inequities in early vaccination uptake.
“To avoid major inequities in wider public vaccination, communication during early distribution phases will require a focus on communities most in need of the vaccine including Black and Latinx residents, who have borne most of the severe health and economic impacts of the pandemic,” wrote Curry in an e-mail to El Mundo Boston.
According to Curry, Massachusetts cannot afford to have a process of vaccination in which the people most at risk of the virus don’t receive the information they need to feel comfortable that the vaccine is safe.
Tim Ritchie, President of the Museum of Science said the poll also affirmed the importance of building confidence in the science and technological advancements that have made way for rapid, safe, and effective vaccines.
Ritchie also noted that the poll provides important data that will help formulate the best strategies in the very near future.
“The weeks and months ahead will offer one of the biggest tests, and opportunities, we have faced in science communication and the results of this poll help us shape our approach,” added Ritchie.
The poll was conducted by the MassINC Polling Group, which surveyed 1,180 Massachusetts residents, including oversamples of Black and Latino residents. The poll was conducted in English and Spanish from November 18-25, 2020. Here are a few key findings:
- 38 percent of white residents say they will take the vaccine “as soon as possible” compared to 28 percent of Black residents and 22 percent of Latino residents.
- This number differs more when gender is factored in:
- White men: 44% White women: 31%
- Black men: 36% Black women: 19%
- Latino men: 23% Latina women: 21%
- 65 percent express concern that the vaccine has not been thoroughly tested, and 61 percent say they are reluctant to trust the government on healthcare issues.
- The Black community, in particular, has real concerns that are rooted in the mistreatment of people of color by the medical establishment over centuries.
The survey also asked people about what institutions and leaders they trust when it comes to vaccine information. Across demographics, people most trust their doctors to tell them when a vaccine works and is safe, at 80% overall.
“This is welcome news because it shows that many Black and Latinx residents appreciate that a vaccine can help end this pandemic and save lives,” added Curry.
A public event to discuss the results and recommendations will take place on Monday, December 14, 2020 from 4pm-5pm (https://fb.me/e/36JhxoVjZ)
El Mundo Boston will be expanding on this story with a series of interviews, Facebook LIVE discussions, community input and a special supplement in El Mundo Newspaper in our end-of-the-year, December 30th edition.
For more info, Contact Jay Cosmopoulos at: [email protected]
