Abstract

David L Monk*

COVID-19 has disrupted every sphere of life. There is no end in sight due to significant barriers to reaching herd immunity. Vaccine hesitancy is a complex problem with many corollaries including economic, political, religious, racial, sex and socio-economic factors. Blacks are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus. There is a higher rate of disease, mortality, and rejection of the COVID-19 vaccine among this highly vulnerable population. Vaccine hesitancy among blacks is well documented in the literature. The implications of vaccine hesitancy among blacks are not limited to the black community. But, has consequences for the larger society. Reducing the rate of vaccine hesitancy and increasing the level of vaccine acceptance is a significant challenge. The historical backdrop of “scientific racism” continues to cast a pall over every aspect of healthcare including but not limited to biomedical research, vaccine trials, and vaccine acceptance in the United States. Until the distrust of blacks regarding COVID-19 vaccines is addressed there will be an increased resistance and decreased vaccine uptake.