LOCAL

Black Americans' hesitancy to get COVID-19 vaccine reflected in state, local numbers

Charlotte Stefanski
Muncie Star Press
WaTasha Barnes Griffin gets the COVID-19 vaccine at Open Door Health Services.

MUNCIE, Ind. — It had taken a lot to get WaTasha Barnes Griffin in a chair at Open Door Health Services. Since the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, she had been adamant she wouldn't get one. But in late January, her arm was being prepared for the shot.

Bryan Ayars, CEO of Open Door Health Services, was even there with her, helping document her journey. She remembers Ayars jokingly telling her not to scream, to which a nurse replied, “She's not scared of a vaccine.” But that wasn't completely true.

"Well, I am kind of scared," Barnes Griffin said.

It wasn't that Barnes Griffin, CEO of the YWCA Central Indiana, didn't believe in the virus or didn't think it could impact her. It was quite the opposite, actually. She knew Black and other minority communities were being disproportionately affected by the virus. 

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As a community leader, Barnes Griffin had long advocated for masking up throughout the pandemic. She even had no problem being tested for COVID-19 when asked to, but when it came to getting vaccinated, something held her back.

"We have a history of chronic health issues and routine visits with doctors, doctors who don’t look like us, telling us we should take A, B and C," Barnes Griffin said. "For me, someone who considers herself educated and informed, it was even a question. Will this vaccine really help? What’s in this vaccine?"

As she detailed in her letter to The Star Press, there was also a history of mistrust and mistreatment of African of Americans in the medical field, from the Tuskegee Syphilis Study to Henrietta Lacks, who unknowingly donated her cells to medical research.

Even this winter, the healthcare of minorities came into question again when Dr. Susan Moore, a Black woman who described receiving inadequate care at the IU Health's Carmel hospital, died of COVID-19.

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Barnes Griffin told The Star Press she wasn't alone, and many were feeling the same in Muncie's Black community and beyond. While COVID-19 was limiting in-person conversations, there were still plenty of questions and resistance revolving around the vaccine.

Patients are directed to wait 15 minutes after receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccination before leaving IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Friday, Jan. 15, 2021.

In her participation with Mobilizing Muncie, which formed this summer in response to the death of George Floyd and police brutality, she was able to listen to Jeff Bird, president of IU Health’s East Central Region, and Ayars, who were working with the group to bring equity into local healthcare.

"It caused me to slowly start to change my perspective on it," Barnes Griffin said. "For my mom, grandparents and other people, I want them to be safe."

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Bird and Ayars were both happy to answer her questions and continue an open dialogue about the Black community's general distrust of the vaccine. After a few more conversations and doing her own research, Barnes Griffin scheduled her appointment at Open Door.

But she wouldn't be doing it alone. Instead, Barnes Griffin recorded her journey for others to see, from the nurse double-checking paperwork to receiving a timer for her 15-minute wait period.

In posting her journey to Facebook, Barnes Griffin wasn't trying to tell or convince anyone to get the vaccine. Instead, she hoped it would help people, especially people who look like her, to think about it differently and ask their own questions.

"We need to see people who look like us, talking about it from the healthcare side," Barnes Griffin said. "We need to see people like us being willing to tell their stories, why they would take it, or why they would not."

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Initially, Barnes Griffin said she had some vaccine site soreness and a mild headache, which cleared up after a few days. She was still a little nervous, monitoring her body for any adverse reaction.

In sharing her story, she began receiving text messages, calls and emails from friends and strangers, asking her what the process was like, if it hurt and how she was feeling.

"I was relieved to know I went ahead and did something that benefits my loved ones and myself," Barnes Griffin said. "That’s when I kind of decided, I’m not going to be quiet about it, I’ll tell somebody, I’ll tell people."

Low vaccination rates for minorities across the country

Barnes Griffin is not alone in her hesitancy. Vaccination rates for Black Americans and other minorities have remained low across the country, and the trend has been reflected in state and local numbers.

Healthcare workers and state residents aged 70 or older receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Open Door Health Clinic on Madison Street in downtown Muncie.

In late January, CNN reported that white people are getting vaccinated at higher rates than Black and Latino Americans, with states including Indiana, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, Delaware, Mississippi, Nebraska and North Carolina all reporting clear disparities.

At the time, not many states were providing demographic information about who had received a COVID-19 vaccine. However, the states listed showed white individuals receiving a percentage of vaccines that nearly equaled their share of the population, while the numbers fell short for those identifying as Black or Hispanic.

According to the Indiana State Department of Health's COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard, 633,123 Indiana residents had been vaccinated as of Friday morning.

White people, who make up about 85% of Indiana's population, accounted for 87.5% of that total. Black or African American individuals, who make up 9.8% of the state population, accounted for 4% of those vaccinated. Numbers were slightly higher for those receiving only their first dose, going up to 4.6%

In Delaware County, 12,385 people had been fully vaccinated, with 92.1% being white and 2.6% being Black or African American. Numbers once again went up for first dose, with Black residents making up 3.1%.

Locally in Delaware County, 12,385 people had been fully vaccinated, with 92.1% being white and 2.6% being Black or African American. Numbers once again went up for first dose, with African Americans making up 3.1%.

While vaccination rates have remained low for people of color, there have been many studies suggesting they have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 virus.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), COVID-19 hospitalization rates among non-Hispanic Black people and Hispanic or Latino people were both about 4.7 times the rate of non-Hispanic white people. More than 70,000 Black lives have been lost to COVID-19, according to most recent data, and Black people account for 15% of COVID-19 deaths where race is known.

Research shows that while these groups may be at more risk for underlying health conditions, there is no evidence of genetic or other biological factors making minorities more likely to be affected by COVID-19. However, the CDC states discrimination, access to adequate healthcare, occupation, education and income can all contribute.

"In some of our lower-income communities, multiple generations live in a house or apartments. Public housing is super close. When you say 'put a mask on,' what are you talking about? We gotta go to church," Barnes Griffin said. "There was a lot of issues around the virus itself, and educating ourselves around the virus and what it does."

So, what can be done locally to ensure at-risk communities keep themselves and others safe and healthy?

Local organizations step up

In a neighborhood that is 75% Black and with 56% of residents living low-income or in poverty, the Whitley Community Council has worked hard to provide both information and resources to its neighborhood during the pandemic, from handing out masks and fliers to increasing food distribution.

Resident of Delaware County receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Friday, Feb. 26, 2021.

That effort has been no different when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, and while in-person meetings are still avoided, the council is working to answer the community's questions in other ways.

In February, the council's monthly neighborhood association meeting was transformed into a COVID-19 information session, with local healthcare administrators like Ayars, Ball Memorial Hospital nurse Layce Watson and Delaware County Health Officer Donna Wilkins.

Ken Hudson, director of the Whitely Community Council, told The Star Press there are mixed feelings about the vaccine within the neighborhood. Some residents have already gotten it, while others are still questioning it.

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While he said there are many reasons for Whitely residents to be cautious, he echoed some of Barnes Griffin's concerns.

"For our community, it’s kind of a historic question. It’s something we’ve dealt with for years and years and years," Hudson said. "That is, can I trust what’s in front of me? Can I trust the people around me and how this was made?"

Hudson himself is one of those who wants to wait a little bit before getting his shot, in order to get more information. Asking what side effects there are and if the vaccine is safe are legitimate questions, and anyone with concerns should consult with their doctor, he said.

The key is getting the correct information from trusted and verified sources.

Resident of Delaware County receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Friday, Feb. 26, 2021.

When the vaccine first came out, Hudson said there were stories of some people developing Bell's Palsy. That might have been true, but Hudson said those small numbers have to be compared to the overall vaccines being given out. And in the end, did the vaccine really cause it?

"That information can be taken and spread quickly throughout a neighborhood and create a mistrust and fear. You have to be careful," Hudson said. "You have to do real research and ask yourself real questions, so that you can make a proper determination."

Out of the more than 23,000 vaccinations Ball Memorial had administered, there have been no serious or life-threatening reaction to the vaccine.

While Hudson advocates for others to consult their physician with any questions about the vaccine, he also knows African Americans are statistically least likely to have a primary care provider.

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That's where places like Open Door come in. A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), they can simply answer questions over the phone, and plenty of information can be found on their website.

So far, Hudson said Whitely residents' responses have been positive towards the council's pandemic efforts, with more virtual meetings about the vaccine being posted online.

"If you choose not to get the vaccine, make sure you’ve chosen not to get the vaccine because of a well thought out reason, something you have vetted," Hudson said. "Not because of myths, conspiracy theories or unproven statements."

Other local, Black community-led organizations have also worked to get information out to Muncie residents, including the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Mobilizing Muncie and the Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy.

Mobilizing Muncie Health Initiatives Committee Lead, Pastor Maria Wilson, currently works alongside Meridian Health Services, Ball Hospital and Open Door to examine healthcare opportunities for minorities in Delaware County. 

Like Barnes Griffin and Hudson, she cited historical reasons for the Black community's distrust in the vaccine. However, one of the biggest reasons for hesitancy is a lack of knowledge on side effects and how the vaccine could impact underlying health issues.

While Wilson said she acknowledges the painful history between the medical field and African Americans, she has already gotten the vaccine.

"I am a cancer survivor. I am not sure that I could endure the journey of having COVID- 19," Wilson said. "My choice to take the vaccine was personal for me." 

Wilson said Mobilizing Muncie and local healthcare systems are working to get important information out, and there are plenty of ways to begin mending the relationship locally.

Local healthcare systems work to strengthen ties

With only certain age groups and other specific categories are currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Indiana, the number of Black Hoosiers receiving the vaccine may soon go up as eligibility expands.

But as of now, those low percentages are being reflected inside of clinics at Ball Memorial Hospital and Open Door, according to officials.

Resident of Delaware County receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Friday, Feb. 26, 2021.

After beginning to have open conversations with organizations like Mobilizing Muncie and leaders like Barnes Griffin, Ayars and Bird have come to understand why there is a distrust of the vaccine and medical field, and they're working to combat it.

Along with working with community partners to get information about the vaccines out, an IU Health community outreach team also is working with local organizations to increase accessibility to the vaccine by sharing resources that are available if transportation help is needed to get to vaccine clinics.

Bird is actively involved with two local groups, Mobilizing Muncie and the Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy.

"We want to make sure every Hoosier has the most accurate information about the vaccine and the ability to get it when their time comes," Bird said. "As the state opens up to more of the public throughout the COVID vaccination process, it is important for healthcare systems to reach out to minority communities to ensure equity and increase access."

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Open Door has continued to hold small group conversations about the vaccine, like the Whitely Community Council meeting. Ayars said the healthcare system is working on more outreach and educational materials to share specifically with groups where accurate information might help build trust in the vaccine.

"We’ve noticed that individuals are looking for facts,  and assurances that the vaccine is safe and effective," Ayars said. "We’ve fielded lots of great questions, and in the process we’ve all become better for the knowledge."

Despite a deeply rooted distrust, this is exactly what Barnes Griffin, Hudson and Wilson are wanting to see in the community. While it might take a while, being present is a step in the right direction.

That presence needs to be visible though, Hudson said, and while it's a heavy lift, it's well worth it, whether visibility requires more virtual meetings or getting out into the community to provide pamphlets, masks or other resources.

Healthcare workers and state residents aged 70 or older receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Open Door Health Clinic on Madison Street in downtown Muncie.

Barnes Griffin said strategic and intentional messaging is key, and while healthcare systems can't go from person to person, they can meet with local leaders who can then provide accurate information to their communities. 

"Make people feel seen and heard and validate their experiences. I think our local folks are doing that," Barnes Griffin said. "I know that our local folks are sitting down at the table with Black and brown leadership to ask the questions, to have the conversations, to see what they can do to take away some of the fear and confusion, and present those facts."

Wilson added this open dialogue might be uncomfortable, as it might bring up painful historical and personal experiences. But when people don't feel heard, it is hard to move forward.

"African Americans want what is best for their families and communities. African Americans also want a voice in their healthcare, but have not been able to find this voice yet," Wilson said. "African Americans are just like all other races; there is not a one-solution fix for these issues."

Charlotte Stefanski is a reporter at The Star Press. Contact her at 765-283-5543, cstefanski@muncie.gannett.com or follow her on twitter @CharStefanski