OSDH: COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Remains Low Among Hispanic Community

Health experts said the COVID-19 Delta variant has made its way to Oklahoma. Some in Tulsa’s Hispanic community fear it could be spreading disproportionately. 

The Oklahoma State Department of Health said only 31 percent of Hispanics in the state are fully vaccinated.

The OSDH also said just 22 percent of Black Americans and 17 percent of Native Americans are fully vaccinated.

Blanca Charles, a nurse at OU, works with the Hispanic community on a regular basis.

From what she has seen and heard from the Hispanic community, OU nurse Blanca Charles said the problem isn't just access. Fear is another factor.

"They may not trust the system," Charles said. "You know, they may not trust (it) because of their immigration status. I think there's a lot of things behind that." 

Jessica Lozano said her biggest reason to get vaccinated was to protect her family, and she hopes others will do the same.

"I just look at it as, like, you put on your jacket when you go outside when it's cold," Lozano said. "That's another barrier of protection for yourself."

Lozano also believes the biggest reason to make the effort to get the COVID-19 vaccine is for the ones who didn't survive the virus.

"We had so many of our community members die," Lozano said. "They died because of COVID. They didn't have the option for the vaccine. We have the luxury of the vaccine, and I think we should take that vaccine in honor of the folks that have passed on."