Vaccination hesitation within the black community

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – Data from the CDC suggests that less than nine percent of blacks are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Many say the reason is reluctance to vaccinate. News Leader 9 spoke to residents of Fountain City, and they all have a similar point of view.

Some black people don’t trust the vaccine because of a lack of trust in the government. According to CDC statistics, of the 58% of people who identified their race for the COVID-19 vaccine, nearly two-thirds were white, 16% were Hispanic, and 9% were black.

Although this is a small percentage of the population, some people like Kameron Leatherwood do not rule out getting the vaccine.

“The black community in general is afraid of anything new,” said Leatherwood, a man from Columbus.

Sarah Denise told News Leader 9 that she thinks it is important for her to be vaccinated against COVID-19, to protect those around her.

“Well, I would say definitely do your research. Do it for yourself. It’s a personal decision, that’s what I believe. Denise said. “For me, I think it’s a personal decision, but I think it’s important to protect our community.”

However, Alex Battle, a woman from Columbus, said she did her research and her family made the decision to decline the shot.

“I’m looking at the misinformation that was made about COVID early on and how they got the vaccination up and running so quickly,” Battle said. “Doctors push someone like me to get vaccinated because I have diabetes, but they don’t know the consequences. I haven’t seen where black people should trust the government.

Part of his argument, according to Battle, is that the government has yet to truly gain the trust of the black community. According to Pam Kirkland of the Columbus Department of Health, part of the reluctance could have something to do with Tuskegee’s experiences.

According to Marcia Hollingsworth, her past experience with a vaccine is the reason she will not be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“I was in the army and I never got any vaccine other than the flu shot, I was forced into it and got sick. I am not a person who gets sick, which is why I did not take it. ”Hollingsworth said. “Even if they offered me a million dollars, I don’t think I would give it a shot. I just think it’s a personal preference. I don’t think it’s cool to harass people who haven’t taken it.

Columbus Health Department officials told News Leader 9 that they are always working to reach out to communities hard and help them make informed decisions when it comes to getting the COVID-19 vaccine.