By Lincoln DePradine

Antivaxxers – advocates against COVID vaccines and opponents of mandates put in place to prevent infection and death from the virus – were openly gloating at a truckers-led protest last weekend in Ottawa. But, one group – the Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity (BSTF) on Vaccine Equity – is fearful of the impact that such events could have on Black communities, where efforts are underway to prevent further COVID-related death among Canadians of African descent.

“The Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity is concerned that the uptake in COVID-19 vaccination in Black communities may be undermined by the truck protests in Ottawa. This could increase already disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on a community at high risk,’’ BSTF aid in a news release.

“While the risk of COVID-19 and the impacts of COVID-19 have been high in Black populations, the rate of vaccination within Black communities has been consistently lower than the general population,’’ it added.

“Vaccination rates for children and adults are among the lowest in Ontario postal code areas with high Black and racialized populations.  And, though the recent vaccination roll-out is leading to significant general increases in booster dose coverage and the percentage of children aged 5-to-11 who have received their first dose, areas that are home to more Black and racialized people have been left behind. They are more likely to have the lowest booster and child-vaccination rates.’’

BSTF, set up by the City of Toronto last year, says it’s diligently working “to ensure that Black populations are given the balanced evidence they need to make decisions about how best to protect themselves and their communities.  We are concerned that the growing media coverage, social media misinformation and financial funds accumulating for the causes linked to the truck convey may increase vaccination concerns and hesitancy in Black communities’’.

The situation runs counter to the BSTF’s attempts at building trust between Black communities and public health’’, said task force chairman, Dr Akwatu Khenti.

“While the risk of COVID-19 and the impacts of COVID-19 have been high in Black populations, the rate of vaccination within Black communities has been consistently lower than the general population,’’ he said. “This is despite excellent and innovative Black community initiatives that have increased the numbers of people who are immunized.  Without this action the disparities would be larger than they are.  We encourage community members to make the distinction between science and quasi-science by clear analysis of all sources. Our website, torontoblackcovid.com, is a portal with scientifically backed information, culturally appropriate FAQ’s and offers a safe space for users to reach out to trusted medical professionals to answer their questions about vaccination.’’

According to BSTF, the Black community has specific health and systemic race issues that could get lost, while the focus is switched to the truckers.  Some include:

• Higher risk of COVID-19 because of social factors and the fact they are more likely to work in essential jobs including health and social care;
• Higher rates of health conditions (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension) linked to social factors and poorer access to effective medical care and social supports which makes them more at risk of severe COVID-19 illness;
• Higher risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 across all age groups;
• Ongoing experiences of racial discrimination and historical neglect of Black health and wellbeing which increases mistrust of health and public health.