May 20, 2021 - Health

Latinos want COVID vaccines but can't take time off

U.S. fully vaccinated by race/ethnicity
Data: CDC; Chart: Danielle Alberti/Axios

The number of vaccinated U.S. Latinos is increasing after months of unequal access, but hurdles remain for this especially hard-hit group to get COVID-19 vaccines at the same rate as others.

Why it matters: President Biden wants 70% of U.S. adults vaccinated by July 4.

By the numbers: 33% of unvaccinated Latinos are more likely to say they’d like to get vaccinated than white and Black non-Hispanics, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll.

  • But they are also more concerned about barriers, like difficulty traveling to a vaccination center or missing work in case of side effects.
  • 56% of those who have been vaccinated say they were asked for government ID or a social security number, a situation that concerns Hispanics with lower incomes who may not have a driver's license or who are undocumented.

The bottom line: Half of unvaccinated Latino adults say they would get their coronavirus shot if it were available at a clinic they trust or if their employer would give them paid time off to get it.

  • Uber and Lyft are expected to start offering free rides for immunization, after a deal with the White House.
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