Adolescents are among Sacramento’s lowest vaccination groups. These groups are lower than others
Adolescents and teens who are American Indian and Alaska Native, Black or white are among the least vaccinated in Sacramento County, according to new data from the public health department.
Adolescents between ages 12 and 19 in general have the lowest vaccination rate of any age group in Sacramento County, but only about one in three American Indian and Alaska Native and Black adolescents are at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sept. 16.
Less than 37% of white adolescents, and about 42% of older Latino teens, have received at least one dose. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adolescents and Asian Americans under 19 have the highest rates of at least partial vaccination, about 58% and 77%, respectively.
The vaccination rates somewhat mirror overall vaccination rates in Sacramento County — Hispanic and Black residents are among the least vaccinated, with about 41% having received a dose, followed by American Indian and Alaska Native and white residents at about 44% and 49% respectively.
Still, it’s a trend that continues to worry public health officials particularly as thousands of adolescents have returned to in-person classes, and vaccination rates continue to lag in some parts of Sacramento.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccines could be available for even younger kids ages five to 11 as early as October (Pfizer released preliminary results last week from its trial showing the vaccine for kids were safe, well tolerated and showed “robust neutralizing antibody responses.”)
Since the early months of the pandemic, researchers have consistently found that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the health of people of color, both in terms of infection, hospitalization rates, and deaths.
In comparison to adults, adolescents have in general see low levels of hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19. But severe illness can occur, with research showing that COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted the health of adolescents of color.
For example, Black, Hispanic, and Asian adolescents are significantly more likely to be infected. Older Latino and Black children see higher rates of COVID-19-related hospitalization, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published last year. And a CDC report in September found that hospitalization rates were 10 times higher among unvaccinated than among fully vaccinated adolescents.
In some cities in the United States, racial disparities in vaccination rates among adolescents are stark: In Richmond, Virginia, for example, white 12- to 17-year-olds have up to three times the vaccination rates of Black teens and young adults, reported the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The CDC recommends everyone 12 years and older get vaccinated, both to prevention infection and reduce the spread of the virus. Health experts have consistently stated that the vaccines are safe and effective. (Those 12 and older can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, anyone 18 and older can receive either Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccines.)
Sacramento City Unified schools have been hosting weekly vaccination clinics at comprehensive high schools for anyone 12 and older, in partnership with Dignity Health. In its effort to make getting vaccinated easy for students, parents and staff, the district so far has provided nearly 23,000 vaccines to the community.
Still, district officials say they’re continuing to see vaccination hesitancy.
“You are not going to scare someone into this,” said Victoria Flores, the district’s director of student support and health services. “It’s love, patience and compassion. We keep those lines of communication open.”
Flores said oftentimes, trusted health professionals have been on site to help explain the science behind the vaccines and debunk myths. Therapy dogs, music and even a therapy miniature horse were brought in to help comfort the younger 12 and 13 years old students getting vaccinated.
“Early on, we heard a lot about magnetization,” she said. “I would pull in a nurse and say, ‘Okay let me get you someone to talk to.”
Last week, the Sacramento City Teachers Association proposed requiring vaccines for staff and eligible students, and the school board announced earlier this month it would consider a similar requirement in the coming weeks. Such a requirement could drastically improve vaccination rates among adolescents.
Federal data on vaccinations among adolescents by race and ethnicity is currently unavailable, but a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that that there are signs of racial disparities among adolescents.
Of the six states and Washington, D.C., reporting that data, white adolescents had higher vaccination rates than Black adolescents (though in some areas, Asian and Latino teens had higher vaccination rates than white adolescents).
KFF also reports that Black and Latino parents are more likely than white parents to report potential access barriers to vaccination, like taking time off work or believing the shots will cost money. Across ethnic groups, the top concern among parents with unvaccinated adolescents is the potential for long-term or serious side effects. (Most kids and teens will have only mild or moderate symptoms, which are normal signs that their body is building protection.)
To sign up for a vaccine, visit myturn.ca.gov to sign up for an appointment, or visit the Sacramento City Unified School District website for upcoming clinic dates and times.
This story was originally published September 29, 2021 at 5:00 AM.