Disproportionate Vaccine Distribution

By Camila Acosta, Sports Editor

APU GOMEZ/Getty images

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt across the world, however not all communities have been affected equally. The Latino community has been disproportionately affected and less likely to receive the vaccine.

Latinos represent 38.9 percent of California's population yet make up 55 percent percent of COVID-19 cases and 46.2 percent of the state's COVID deaths. Latinos are the largest percentage of essential workers, typically in jobs that cannot be done at home putting them at an increased risk.

“This pandemic has really exposed the failures of our healthcare system,” Representative Raul Ruiz (CA-36) said. “We cannot rely on this health care system to address equity. … We are only going to continue to fail. And we see that now with the vaccine distribution.”

In Boyle heights, a community that is primarily made up of Latino and Hispanic residents, Clinica Romero, a clinic that serves over 12,000 patients, received a total of 100 vaccines.

“It’s a matter of fair distribution,” Executive Director of Clinica Romero Carlos Vaquerano said. “We serve the most hard-hit community in Los Angeles. They are essential workers who are getting sick and are dying at a higher proportion than anyone else in the county.”

Latinos make up the majority of essential workers. These individuals often work in jobs that do not provide proper protective equipment while being at the forefront of the pandemic. In addition, there are higher rates of Hispanic and Latino residents residing in smaller, more compact residences, surrounded by more people making their potential contamination much more likely.

Although the lack of vaccines across the country has been prevalent, the opened vaccination mega centers only cater to a portion of the population. Most Latinos who are eligible don't have their own cars or aren't able to drive, and family members aren't always available to take them. With growing distrust between the Latino community and bigger sites that do not cater to their needs, the lack of information offered to these communities has not helped to bridge the gap.