Introduction
The effects of the out break of covid-19 is still evident in our world. Many lives lost, economic melt down, loss of social life and the list goes on. Coronavirus is virus that causes respiratory infections. In addition, it symptoms can range from the common cold to more serious diseases. While COVID-19 is a new form of coronavirus but a more dangerous type. In December 2019, it was first reported in Wuhan City in China. According to reports, more than 48,000 Black Americans have died since the beginning of the pandemic. Consequently, COVID vaccine could help save more Black people lives.
Public health workers battle the challenge of convincing Blacks to get vaccination, with the discovery and approval of a coronavirus vaccine. Because there is a long history of racism and mistreatment of Black Americans. Health research suggest the Black community is “less inclined” to take the vaccine than any other racial group in America. According to a Pew Research Center study, out of 12,648 adults surveyed, 64% would not consider taking the vaccine. while 39% of white adults, 37% of Hispanics and 17% Asian Americans would not consider taking the vaccine. The gap is wide, an indication that Blacks are skeptical about covid-19 vaccine.
The distrust of the COVID vaccine and Black people view of the nation’s medical establishment is rooted in a long record of mistreatment. According to co-founder of Black Coalition Against COVID-19 (Dr. Reed Tuckson), there is a history of abuse in the health care for people of color. The late 1900s witnessed medical breakthroughs in the nation’s scientific community, but many of these came at the expense of Black people’s human dignity and life.
The Reasons For The Black People Fears
Black History
Black Americans have a history of abuse and mistreatment. Some of the mistrust comes from America’s horrific treatment of Blacks during scientific and medical experimentation over the country’s history. Studies shows that Black Americans often receive worse care and have less trust in the medical system than White patients. In parts, a reflection of the history of medical mistreatment of Black Americans. This includes Alabama surgeon J. Marion Sims experimental operations on enslaved Black women between 1845 and 1849. Likewise the infamous Tuskegee Institute experiments in the 1930s that examined the progression of syphilis in Black men.
Tuskegee Experiment and Henrietta Lacks
Tuskegee experiment, a government-led syphilis study from the 1930s to the 1970s involved intentionally lying to a group of poor, Black American sharecroppers as a way to research the disease. An investigative report in 1972 show that the hundreds of men participating were misled about the experiment and went untreated. In addition, penicillin was withheld when it became the standard treatment for the disease in 1947. However, the federal government later granted a $10 million settlement and health benefits to these men, families and their descendants. But the horrific incident remains on the forefront of the Black community’s mind.
Henrietta Lacks, cervical cancer patient woman, went to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment in 1951. When doctors took samples of her cancer cells, they discovered that her cells doubled at a rapid rate unseen before. Subsequently making them ideal for cancer research. Since 1951, these “HeLa” cells have been used to make advances in biomedical research. Hela cells are named after the first two letters in her first and last name. But Lacks’ cells were used for medical research without her consent or knowledge. In addition, her family didn’t receive any funds from the companies that used the “HeLa” cells to make medical discoveries. But there are many other examples of abuse, particularly dating back to the era of Black slavery in America.
Research Bias
There’s great skepticism for experimentation but this vaccine is not experimentation. Clinical trials for both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines lack Black, Brown, and indigenous participants. Because Black individuals make up only 10% and 8% respectively of their trial participants. This shortcoming forms part of the reason for distrust among many in the Black community. Increasing the diversity of vaccine trials is essential to demonstrating trust and ensuring the vaccine is effective to all people. Including the same communities that are adversely affected by a pandemic in the research is very important. This will help establish what is safe and effective, to effectively treat or prevent the disease according to Dr. Gibbons.
In Recent Times
Aside historical examples, studies show Black Americans still face implicit racial bias and discrimination among health care providers. Black individuals are less likely to have access to dedicated primary care doctors in undeserved communities. And this lack of health care is directly linked to higher cases of chronic, unmanaged diseases among Black people. In Washington, D.C., roughly 46% of the population of Black residents, but over 80% of virus deaths. While in Chicago, Black residents died at six times the rate of White residents.
The following are some of the biggest reasons the Black community is being hit hardest by COVID-19 in underserved communities. First, the lack of trusted Black doctors and secondly, poor primary case access. Dr. Delana Wardlaw and Dr. Elana McDonald share this opinion. No or poor access to primary healthcare can lead to a lack of diagnoses of chronic diseases. Diseases such as kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and asthma. Moreover, all these conditions puts people at greater risk for the covid-19 virus.
Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines to prevent the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are probably the best bet for ending the pandemic. But as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) begins authorizing emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines, there are skepticism. Many have questions, most especially Black people. What are the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines. How does these vaccines work? Are there possible side effects and the importance of still taking infection prevention steps. Our world need healing urgently, we all wants our life back to normal.
The Benefits of getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
All men are equal with covid-19 because it is not a respecter of race or color. It can cause severe medical complications and lead to death in some people. COVID-19 affects people differently and with varying symptoms. Moreover it is more difficult and complicated for people with underlying medical diseases. The danger here is it can be spread from one people to another. If someone get COVID-19, the person could spread the disease to family, friends and others around you.
COVID-19 vaccine can help by creating an antibody response in your body that prevents you becoming sick with COVID-19
According to experts a COVID-19 vaccine might prevent you from getting COVID-19. Also the vaccine might keep you from becoming seriously ill or from developing serious complications if infected. Vaccination also could help protect other people around you from getting infected, especially people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Approved COVID-19 vaccines and how do they function?
At the moment, several COVID-19 vaccines are still in clinical trials. The FDA inspects the results of these trials and declare them fit or not for effective COVID-19 vaccination. But because of death toll, there is an urgent need for COVID-19 vaccines. Typically, the FDA’s vaccine approval process takes months to years. But the situation demands, FDA giving emergency use authorization to COVID-19 vaccines based on less data than is normally required. However the data must demonstrate that the vaccines are safe and effective before the FDA gives authorization.
Moderna Vaccine
The United States FDA has given emergency use authorization to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Data shows that Moderna vaccine has an efficacy rate of 94.1%. This vaccine is authorized for people 18years old and above. This vaccine prescription requires two injections given 28 days apart.
Pfizer Vaccine
The United States Food and Drug Administration has given emergency use authorization to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Data has shown that the vaccine has an 95% efficacy rate seven days after the second dose but starts working soon after the first dose. The implication is that about 95% of people who are vaccinated are safe from becoming seriously sick with the virus. This vaccine is authorized for people 16years old and above. In addition, the vaccine requires two injections given 21 days apart.
Can a COVID-19 vaccine give you COVID-19?
The answer is No. In the United States, there is no case of COVID-19 vaccines infecting people with the virus. But it will take a few weeks for your body to build immunity after getting a COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, it’s possible that one could become infected with COVID-19 virus just before or after being vaccinated.
How It Works
According to manufactures, both Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA). There is a spike-like structure on the surface of coronavirus called an S protein. What COVID-19 mRNA vaccines does is to give cells instructions to make a harmless piece of an S protein. After vaccination, cells activate making the protein pieces and displaying them on cell surfaces. The immune system will recognize that the protein doesn’t belong there and start building an immune response and making antibodies.
Are There Possible Side Effects of a COVID-19 Vaccine?
Health officers say a COVID-19 vaccine could cause mild side effects after the first or second dose. The patient is monitored for 15 minutes after getting the vaccine, if there would be an immediate reaction. Majority of these side effects happen within the first three days after vaccination and normally last only one to two days. The COVID-19 vaccine could cause side effects similar to signs and symptoms of COVID-19 virus. If someone is exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms more than three days after vaccination or the symptoms last more than two days, self-isolate and get tested. These possible side effects including:
Redness, swelling or Pain around the vaccination point of contact
Fever
Fatigue
Joint Pain
Headache
Muscle pain
Chill
Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines in United States
Not everyone will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine right away due to limited supplies.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a United States federal advisory group made up of medical and public health experts. The following are ACIP recommendation in the first phase of vaccination in the United States. First, COVID-19 vaccines should be given to health care personnel and adult residents of long-term care facilities.
Second group to get a vaccine in the United States should include people age 75 and older. Also frontline essential workers, such as first responders, teachers, public transit and grocery store workers.
The third priority group to get the vaccine in the United States includes people ages 16 to 64 and 65 to 74. People who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions. And all other essential workers, such as those working in food service, technology and construction. Examples of underlying medical conditions include asthma, heart disease type 2 diabetes and severe obesity.
The Way Forward
There is the need to bring everyone to the table, and I do mean everyone. Answer every question. Educate and interact with the Black people. Go to them, minority communities, the ones scarred by generations of trauma at the hands of medical racism and social inequality. Work with trusted and highly esteemed leaders within that community.
A good example is how New Orleans, a predominantly Black metropolis, has handled the COVID-19 pandemic this year. Lowered its incidence and prevalence rates by holding nightly informational sessions via local news with Black doctors and healthcare providers. Circulating testing availability information through the city’s Department of Health. Also local community leaders, were asked to explain and solicit participation in the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial. The deans of the two largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the city were actively involved. The community is safer when people are not only educated but also included in decisions about their health and safety.
The horrible and shameful things that happened a long time ago are inexcusable and difficult to forgive. But it would be double tragedy that the lingering effects of the past prevent Blacks from doing the needful. We’ll be saving ourselves and our families illness, as well as that of our community.
The Role of Black Leaders, Clergy, Physicians and Health Officers
Black health professionals play an important and personal role in reducing the fears and concerns about the COVID-19 crises. Moreover, Black researchers, health leaders, clergy, and advocates can work together to reduce the fears of potential vaccine participants. Like The Black Coalition Against COVID-19, which created a series of town halls to address residents’ questions and concerns. Their hope is to make a big difference, by engaging regularly with the Black community on a trusted, love and scientific perspective. Consequently, just like in group economics influence their choices and decisions for themselves, families and communities.
Black People involvement in the Development of COVID-19 Vaccine
Each of the approved vaccines had extensive field testing that included African Americans. One of the COVID-19 vaccines is in existence by the help and expertise of Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is a Black woman and a top government researcher. She informed us that help was on the way and a COVID-19 vaccine was on track for December, 2020. She kept her word. In December, both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were granted emergency use authorization. Americans also watched as a Black intensive care unit nurse became one of the first to receive the Pfizer vaccine. This was administered by another Black healthcare professional in New York City.
Also the nation’s oldest Black physicians group formed a task force to track the data as drug makers developed the vaccines. The group last month voiced its support for the two vaccines granted emergency use authorization. They did all these to ensure safety concerns were not overruled by political considerations. Information such as this can be distribute very quickly through our churches and through our networks of notification. That’s the kind of intelligence that we have to give people so they will understand it from people they trust.
The Story of Hank Aaron and Others
86years old Hank Aaron is one of the greatest baseball players of all time of Black decent. He made 25 All-Star teams and won the NL MVP in 1957 during his legendary career. Also he famously broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1973. Hank Aaron have received the COVID-19 vaccination. And, the vaccination was done in front of cameras in the hopes of inspiring other Black Americans.
The vaccination took place at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. Both him and his wife Billye received the first of two doses of the Moderna vaccine. Aaron told Press that he feels wonderful, proud and don’t have any qualms about it at all.
At Morehouse, the Aarons were joined by civil rights leader Andrew Young and former United States Health & Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan, who were also vaccinated. The decision to go public with their vaccinations originate from mistrust many Black Americans have about medical research. Reports has it that former presidents George Bush and Barak Obama have all agreed to go live with theirs as well.