Hispanics Hold the Key to Helping Control the Pandemic
With COVID-19 vaccines now available throughout the United States, the number of people in Arizona qualified to receive the vaccine has opened up, and many people have been fully vaccinated. Information that’s provided when vaccines are given reveal a clearer picture about the number of people affected by this virus.
Recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrates the important role Hispanics have in controlling the coronavirus pandemic. At a national level, the number of Hispanic and Latino residents who contracted COVID-19 is 1.3 times more than the amount of Caucasian people, and 3.2 more Hispanics and Latinos than Caucasians were hospitalized.
Trust and Acceptance are Crucial
“Hispanics are overrepresented in coronavirus cases and more likely to suffer worse outcomes,” said Tomás León, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategy for Equality Health. “As efforts to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine continue, trust and acceptance of Hispanics will be crucial given they are more likely to have interactions with many other people in their essential worker roles. The vaccine uptake will not only help in reducing the public health crisis, but it will improve Latino financial resilience and the health of their households and of the broader community.”
In Arizona, Hispanics make up 29% of the total registered cases of COVID-19, with Hispanic mortality at about 30% of those cases. In other words, for every 10 people who die due to COVID-19 in Arizona, three are Hispanic. Of the 1,217,126 COVID-19 vaccines distributed as of February 15, only 75,746 of those were given to Hispanics. This amounts to a total of 8.2% of the vaccines distributed.
“For any state to ensure fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine,” said León, “it must collect and report data by demographics, including race and ethnicity, to pinpoint disparities and inform targeted strategies.”
Myth Buster: Dr. Edmond Baker
Until the vaccine becomes more widely available to match the current need of our community, it is important to obtain trustworthy information directly from healthcare professionals in order to successfully overcome the coronavirus pandemic. They will have the most up-to-date information on the types of vaccines available, immune system responses from the vaccine and how to reduce the spread of the virus.
We asked one such expert, Dr. Edmond Baker, Medical Director for Equality Care Center, questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, and he gave clear and simple answers that will hopefully bust any myths or hesitation about receiving the vaccine.
What will happen if we do not receive the second dose of the vaccine on time or we forget to get it?
According to Dr. Baker, it is optimal to receive the second dose of vaccine on time, but less than 42 days should be fine.
When receiving the second dose, will the side effects be greater than those after the first shot?
Dr. Baker responded that immune system responses can be more noticeable after the second dose, but the benefits outweigh any uncomfortable sensation.
Is it okay to take painkillers after the vaccine?
Dr. Baker recommended not taking any over-the-counter painkillers after vaccination.
Is it okay to take painkillers after the vaccine?
Dr. Baker recommended not taking any over-the-counter painkillers after vaccination.
How effective are the vaccines against new variants of the virus?
Dr. Baker answered that as of this moment, the vaccine is effective against all known variants, which is why it’s important for people to get vaccinated.
How will we know that the vaccines are working?
Dr. Baker responded, “As we continue to monitor the progression of the disease, we will see a decrease in cases.”
We are the Solution
Taking into consideration that our community has experienced just under a third of all cases of COVID-19 in our state, it’s important that we do our part to end this public health crisis caused by COVID-19. We can do this by receiving both doses of the vaccination when scheduled and continuing to maintain preventative measures to stop the spread of the disease – social distance, wear a mask, and continue to get tested.
Wearing facemasks, practicing social distancing and frequent handwashing are still necessary because a large number of people still haven’t received the vaccine. And if you feel sick, get tested. These simple but effective measures are proven to help combat the most dangerous virus of recent time. This is not the time to let our guard down. We are in this and will end this, together.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine or to register to receive it, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services website at www.azdhs.gov.
Published in Prensa Arizona, 2/25/2021
