Vaccine disparities between minorities, strong in the United States at the start of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign, have been eliminated, but those between political affiliations persist, according to a large poll published Tuesday, September 28. About 70% of black adults, 73% of Hispanics, and 71% of white adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to this study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, conducted by telephone among 1,500 people representative of the American population.
Read alsoThe great battle of anti-Covid vaccination divides the United States
These figures contrast with those observed by the same poll in April: only 51% of black adults and 47% of Hispanics had received at least one injection by then, compared to 60% of whites. According to Marcella Nunez-Smith, in charge of equality issues in the Covid-19 crisis for the White House, this result was achieved thanks to the “job” put in place to remedy the problem. She cited, for example, vaccination events organized by churches or in hairdressing salons run by African Americans. These figures released Tuesday are also similar to those observed by other studies – from the Pew research center or the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the main US federal public health agency.
90% of Democrats vs. 58% of Republicans
On the other hand, political affiliation remains a major divisive factor in vaccination: according to the Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 90% of people claiming to be Democrats said they had received at least one dose, compared to 58% of Republicans. Experts put forward several explanations, including Donald Trump’s lack of unequivocal support for vaccines, and the “anti-science” feeling that has recently developed within his party. People in rural areas, evangelical Christians and those without a university degree are among the least immunized groups.
Read alsoJoe Biden entangled in America’s divisions
Concerning recently vaccinated people, among the main reasons given for taking the plunge are cited: the outbreak of the epidemic linked to the Delta variant, the information circulating on saturated hospitals, and the fact of knowing someone who has been seriously ill or died of the disease.
– .
