Black And Latina/o Californians Are Much Less Likely To Have Received A Vaccine

California officials have released information on the race and ethnicity of residents who have received COVID-19 vaccines.

Nearly 33% of people who have gotten a shot are white; 16% are Latina/o; 13% are Asian American; and 2.9% are Black. The remaining vaccines have gone to people who identify as multi-race, Native Hawaiian, American Indian, and individuals who did not specify a racial or ethnic identity.

As of Jan. 23, the racial and ethnic breakdown of Angelenos who had received one or more doses of the vaccine was as follows:

• 30.2% white (26% of county residents are white)
• 29.4% Latino (49% of county residents are Latino)
• 22.9% Asian (15% of county residents are Asian)
• 4.6% Black (8% of county residents are Black)
• 1.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (.4% of county residents are Native/Pacific Islander)
• 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native
• 11.5% multiple or other race/ethnicity

Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County’s public health director, called the number of Black people who have received the vaccine “shockingly low.” Other experts have wondered if local officials are not prioritizing vaccine equity.

Seniors make up nearly 55% of Californians who have been vaccinated so far. That group, along with long-term care residents and health care workers, were the first cohort to be prioritized by the state.