Black and Latino Vaccination Rates Lag, Especially Among Young People
Black and Latino people suffered the most during LA’s COVID19 surge. Yet the latest figures show they are still the least likely to get vaccinated.
For the 16-29 age groups, vaccination rates are as follows:
- 18% of Black men
- 20% of Black women
- 24% of Latino men
- 31% of Latino women
- 43% of white men
- 51% of white women
- 57% of Asian American men
- 65% of Asian American women
“We do need to work harder to ensure that there’s good information and easy access to vaccinations for our younger people,” said LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.
The disparity can be deadly — even for this younger group. A Los Angeles Times analysis found that Latinos represent 71% of deaths in the 18 to 34 age group, despite making up 45% of the state’s 18 to 34 population. Black Californians account for 9% of deaths in that age group, compared to 6.5% of the population.
These racial disparities exist at all ages. Fortunatley, they are shrinking among seniors. Vaccinations among Black seniors shot up 206% in LA County between Feb. 9 and May 2. The rate among Latino seniors rose 160%.
