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Communities of color feel mistrust over COVID-19 vaccine rollout

A survey revealed fewer than half of Black people, and 66 percent of Latinos would take the vaccine if it were free of charge.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala — The COVID-19 vaccine could roll out within days for least for health care workers and first responders.

However, some people are hesitant about receiving it in the future. "It's almost like I have to take it because I don't want to put my spouse at risk and things of that nature," says Angela Curry.

Curry says she's undecided about receiving the vaccine and says there's a mistrust because of how soon the vaccine was developed, and the history of minorities used as subjects in medical experiments.

"The eugenics movement, experiments on Black individuals, experiments on Puerto Rican women, and the history of it," says Curry. 

A survey revealed fewer than half of Black people, and 66 percent of Latinos would take the vaccine if it were free of charge.

"I think it's very important for people to understand that there has been a diverse group and the study population in order to ensure that transparency is there and that population is represented," says Alabama Department of Public Health State Health Officer, Dr. Karen Landers.

Lander gives an explanation to people who fear they'll get sick by receiving the two-dose vaccine. "The data thus far, really shows the side-effect profile that is really comparable with what you have seen with other vaccines and that is some persons might have a redder arm. They may have a little bit of fever," she says.

Even with the effectiveness of the vaccines, Curry still feels there's not enough transparency. "If I have coronavirus, and they give me that; is it going to reverse the effects, or is it only for people who have not been sick with coronavirus before?," says Curry. 

"I feel that the integrity is there, and I as a physician do not feel that I could promote something that I did not believe in myself," says Landers.

Landers also urges people to ask questions. "Be very straight forward and express why you have your concerns," she says.

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