Bay Area

Eyebrow: Don’t Hesitate: Vaccinate

Black and Brown Community at Greater Risk as COVID-19 Variant Spreads

Published

5 years ago

July 10, 2021

Coronavirus Covid-19 Protection and Vaccine. Doctor drawing up solution from vaccine bottle and filling syringe injection for patient vaccination in medical clinic, Coronavirus in background/ iStock

Black churches, community groups, and activist community leaders are ringing the alarm bells for African Americans and other communities of color regarding the current vaccination status for their community. The data is clear – the No. 1 target for the new COVID-19 variant, the so-called Delta Variant, is unvaccinated Black and Brown people in our community.

Let’s not be cute about it – the danger is imminent. Severe illness and hospitalization related to COVID -19 is almost exclusively happening to the unvaccinated – and the highest proportion of the unvaccinated in the East Bay are people of color – primarily African American and the Latino communities.

While most eligible recipients of almost every age, racial and ethnic group the rate of vaccination is 70% or higher. For Black and Brown folks the rate is closer to 50%.

The One Accord Project (OAP), a non-profit agency, works with African-American Faith Leaders in Contra Costa County to make a difference. Since the beginning of the pandemic, OAP has hosted a series of monthly meetings titled “Pastoring During a Pandemic” meeting with pastors, Contra Costa County health officials, medical experts, and epidemiologists in providing accurate COVID-19 information, reopening guidelines and resources to clergy and community leaders.

The urgent message is – organize a vaccine drive-in or near your church. Everyone is urged to organize a drive, even as few as 10 people – but do it now – and execute it in this month or August.

So far, more than 1,000 have been vaccinated through the church-hosted vaccine clinics, and hundreds of thousands have been informed through OAP community radio ads, social media, and billboards.

The One Accord Project and Contra Costa County Health Services are inviting everyone to get involved. Please contact them for more information by joining a network, hosting a vaccine clinic, or hosting an informational gathering. They can be reached at sabrinasaund64@yahoo.com or 510-837-0432.

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