According to reporting by the Los Angeles Times, Latino and Black young people have the lowest rate of COVID-19 vaccinations among any other age or racial and ethnic group in Los Angeles County.
Health officials say the worst aspect of the data is that young Black and Latino Californians die of the virus at higher rates.
Only 18% of Black men and 20% of Black women between the ages of 16 and 29 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, county officials said Thursday.
In the Latino community, the numbers are also low, with 24% of men and 31% of women between 16 and 29 receiving at least one dose.
“We do need to work harder to ensure that there’s good information and easy access to vaccinations for our younger people,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said during a news briefing.
In comparison, 43% of white men and 51% of white women within the same age group have received a dose, as have 57% of Asian American men and 65% of Asian American women, and 43% of Native American men and 53% of Native American women.
“We do need to work harder to ensure that there’s good information and easy access to vaccinations for our younger people,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said during a news briefing.
In order to improve disparities in vaccination rates, L.A. County health officials have launched mobile units, access for disabled residents to be vaccinated at home, and transportation to vaccination sites for those who need it.
