Vaccine Outreach Targets Minority Communities

As states and medical centers roll out COVID-19 vaccines, many are highlighting recipients from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds to build trust. NBC's Sarah Dallof reports.

(NBC News) — As states and medical centers roll out COVID-19 vaccines, many are highlighting recipients from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds to build trust.

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams received his vaccine on live television.

“I could not be more pleased or feel more called on to receive this vaccine that so many people of color had a hand in developing and testing and has the potential to correct at least some of the health disparities this pandemic has unveiled,” Dr. Adams said.

That includes a disproportionate impact on communities of color.

Still, health experts worry about vaccine hesitancy, especially in Black communities where a history of medical testing without consent and inadequate access to health care has built distrust.

A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds only 20 percent of Black Americans and 26 percent of Hispanic Americans said they’d get a vaccine “as soon as possible.”

“These are unprecedented times and it’s going to involve coalition building and speaking to communities of color to stamp out COVID-19,” says the National Medical Association’s Dr. Leon McDougle.

In Boston, focus groups are listening and responding to community concerns.

“We want to let them know these are new times. This is a new medication,” says Dr. Stephen Wright.

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