Vaccinations in San Diego county are falling short in communities hit hardest by the pandemic.
According to data through Feb. 3, Latino's make up 56% of total confirmed COVID-19 cases. But the county's vaccination dashboard Friday showed just 13% of people identifying as Latino have actually gotten the vaccination, and 49% of all doses administered in the county are going to San Diegans who identify as white. Twenty-one percent of those vaccinated identified as "other race."
"We know that the vaccine numbers in our communities of color remain low," said San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas on Wednesday.
Vargas said part of the reason the numbers are lopsided is because tier restrictions only allow health care workers and seniors to get vaccinated.
Starting next week community health partners will hit the streets in South Bay cities, trying to make sure everyone who is eligible for a vaccination is able to book an appointment. Vargas said the county will be working with the Chicano Federation, Mental Health America, North County Health Project, the Latino Health Coalition and others.
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A spokesperson for Vargas said Friday was a training day for the pilot program and crews could be going to places like food distribution sites as early as next week. Their stops will center on locations in the South Bay and include the communities of National City, San Ysidro and Imperial Beach.
