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Coronavirus vaccinations in Mississippi meet racial parity among African Americans

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kobee vance
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Community vaccination events, like this one at JSU, have helped Black communities get vaccinated across the state
Kobee Vance, MPB News
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Mississippi has reached racial parity in the distribution of coronavirus vaccines. 38% of the state's population is Black, and health officials say last week, 38% of coronavirus vaccines were administered to Black residents.

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The racial gap for coronavirus vaccinations is closing in Mississippi. In early February 15% of coronavirus vaccinations were administered to Black residents, now that number has more than doubled. African Americans have an increased risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. Dr. Claude Brunson with the Mississippi State Medical Association says state, medical, and community leaders have been working together to get vaccines into vulnerable minority communities. 

“And I think that’s been the biggest reason for why we’ve gotten to where we are is because we’ve planned everything. We talked through everything, and we actually followed through on the things that we said we were going to do,” says Dr. Brunson. “And the Health Department has worked with a number of us organizations in the community and other leaders to make that happen.”

Dr. Brunson says the state can also use these methods to reach communities that are reluctant to take the vaccine.