There are over 2 million Black residents in California yet they have got only 3% of the doses in the state according to the California Department of Public Health. Now, a UCSF doctor is taking matters into his own hands to deal with the issue.
California continues to increase its vaccination efforts, but when it comes to vaccine equity it’s falling short, according to the recent data.
Governor Newsom highlighted California’s “record-breaking” week pointing to “Nearly 1 million vaccines administered in 48 hours” and more than 14 million doses administered so far.
Big numbers, but when we take a closer look at the data we see a daunting picture pointing to the state’s vaccine inequity.
“We are more likely to be infected but also 3 times more likely to die of the virus when we are infected,” said Dr. Malcom John, UCSF’s Infectious Disease Specialist.
UCSF’s Dr. Malcom John took matters into his own hands for helping out his community.
Dr. John, along with the San Francisco African American Faith-Based Coalition and Walgreens, started a vaccination clinic at the Third Baptist Church.
“This is a critical part of our journey, and efforts to increase equity in vaccinations. I think of other states; like West Virginia who did an incredible job rolling out their vaccinations becoming hyper-local and working with local pharmacies,” said Dr. John.
In the past week, they’ve vaccinated nearly 500 people in two church locations.
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