EVERETT — Two months after the COVID vaccine arrived in Snohomish County, about 9% of the county’s white population have received a dose — compared to 3% of all Hispanic residents — according to a report from the Snohomish Health District.
The report, tracking vaccine demographic data from December to Feb. 14, shows a steep gap in vaccination between the county’s Hispanic population and every other racial or ethnic group.
“This gap could be due to differences in the age distribution compared to other race and ethnicity groups, and possibly less employment in the healthcare sector,” health officer Dr. Chris Spitters said in a news release. “However, these findings also raise concern about our Latinx communities’ trust in and access to vaccination. We’ll be working with partners in Snohomish County to help see that gap close as vaccination efforts progress to include essential workers and other phases moving forward.”
In addition to being the least likely to get vaccinated, Hispanic residents are also contracting COVID at disproportionately high rates.
American Indian and Native Alaskan residents are getting vaccinated at the highest rate, with about 15% receiving at least one dose, so far. That includes data from the Tulalip Tribes, who receive separate vaccine shipments, health district spokesperson Heather Thomas said.
About 8% of both the county’s Asian and African American populations have received a shot, as well.
However, 8% of people vaccinated in the county didn’t provide racial or ethnic information.
On Tuesday, local leaders are set to host a town hall to give an update on vaccine distribution and answer questions.
Spitters, county Emergency Management Director Jason Biermann, Executive Dave Somers, members of the county council, state lawmakers and other local elected officials will all be present.
The online event is scheduled Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. To join, visit www.bit.ly/SnoCoTownHall.
Questions for the panelists can be emailed to paula.rhyne@snoco.org.
Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.
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