The disparities are real in Minnesota when it comes to vaccination rates.
The vaccination rate for people age 12 and over is at 49% in the Native American community. It is right at 50% for Black Americans, 56% for Hispanics.
Meanwhile, it is now 63% for white Minnesotans and 73% for Asians.
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Hennepin Healthcare’s Dr. Aaron Robinson says they are working to improve those numbers, but they face a number of obstacles. Those include a general distrust of the government, and misinformation about the vaccine.
“Misunderstanding about false studies in the past related to vaccination and just a lot of false information going around,” Robinson told WCCO’s Susie Jones. “Whether it is made up side effects, made up long term effects, or just kind of overall fearmongering.”
Robinson is Native American and tries to reach out to his own community to encourage everyone to get vaccinated.
“I know everyone is tired of hearing this message, but as providers who see this day in and day out, we can’t remain quiet when every day we’re caring for members of our communities who are becoming infected with or dying from this preventable virus,” explains Robinson. “It’s disheartening. Your life matters and you make a difference in our community. Please make the choice to get vaccinated.”
WCCO Radio host and recent COVID-19 vaccine recipient Sheletta Brundidge is one of the guests who joined speakers morning at Hennepin Healthcare’s Clinic & Specialty Center to talk about why improving vaccination rates matter for everyone.
Like other hospitals throughout the state, HCMC has been experiencing higher than average patient volumes for several reasons, including an increase in COVID patients due to the Delta variant and primarily unvaccinated patients.
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