Drive aims to assuage Latino shot fears
Latinos are hesitant because there is not enough information in Spanish and/or their native language about the vaccine, and the information that is available is not getting to them in the frequency and in the format that is best received by our community,” said Ms. Cristello, who is scheduled to be vaccinated thisweek.
“From my experience, it takes multiple conversations to get to a place where families feel like they understand and feel comfortable getting thevaccine,” she added.
The LCC has hired five “vaccine champions” to help provide outreach to the community, including specifics on what phase of eligibility theyqualify for and help signingup for appointments.
The LCC is partnering with Allegheny Health Network to match individuals with vaccine clinics, and it hopes to provide information to 400 Latino families in the region.
An initial survey by the LCC and the North Side Christian Health Center found 29% of those polled were “not interested at all” in getting vaccinated, Ms. Cristello said.
In the LCC survey, 40% were very interested in getting vaccinated, 19% were somewhat interested and 12% a little bit interested.
The survey included just 43 Latino individuals, and more polling is planned, Ms. Cristello said.
Nationwide data shows vaccine hesitancy trends higher among minority communities.
A Kaiser Family Foundation
report in late February said 50% of Black adults and 35% of Latino adults were not confident the vaccines had been adequately tested for safety and effectiveness in their racial or ethnic groups.
The same report found 52% of Hispanic individuals had received a first dose or planned to get it as soon as possible, while 26% would “wait and see” how it’s working for others before getting it.
Another 12% of Hispanic individuals would “definitely not” get vaccinated, and 10% would do so only if required for work, school or other activities.
Among all adults surveyed, the Kaiser survey found 55% had received one vaccine or planned to get one, 22% would wait and see, 7% would get it only if required, and15% definitely would not.
Denia Zelaya, 33, of
Coraopolis, who immigrated from Honduras, is among those taking a wait-and-see attitude.
“I’ve always been a little skeptical of vaccines,” she said.
During a phone interview last week, Ms. Zelaya said she expected to soon deliver her fourth child.
While she was pregnant, she didn’t know enough about how the vaccine might affect the baby to be confident about receiving it, she said.
In the past, flu vaccines have caused her to experience flu symptoms, and she fears the same will happen witha COVID-19 vaccine.
“Honestly, if it’s something mandatory, then I will have to get it,” said Ms. Zelaya who cleans houses but saw that work dry up because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The LCC has reached out to her about the vaccine and has also supplied her family with food and funds to help pay bills during the pandemic.
Jeff Scott, vice president of community development and growth for the NHL, declined to disclose the amount ofthe grant but said in a statement the NHL is investing in vaccine awareness because, “The League is committed to helping to build healthy and vibrantcommunities.”
He said the NHL and 12 other sports leagues posted a public service announcement in both English and Spanish on broadcast, digital and social media platforms encouraging fans to get accuratevaccine information.
Separately, the LCC received a $17,000 grant from UnidosUS to expand a program in which community health workers help provide information about nutrition, grocery shopping and governmentassistance for food.
The health workers are known as promotores de salud and work in Spanishspeakingcommunities.
The LCC said it will enroll a minimum 350 children and adults in federal nutrition programsby 2022.
“Our team of promotores de salud are committed to advancing the health and wellbeing of Latinx families, and our program fulfills a crucial need for food and nutrition assistance in our community,”said Ms. Cristello.
UnidosUS, an organization that provides civil rights and other advocacy efforts for Latinos, has about 300 affiliates in the U.S. and Puerto Ricoincluding the LCC.