WASHINGTON — Older Black veterans are taking the COVID-19 vaccine through the Department of Veterans Affairs medical system at a higher rate than white and Hispanic veterans in the same age group, which officials said was a result of early outreach efforts.
Thirty-four percent of Black veterans age 75 and older who use the VA medical system have received the vaccine. That is higher than the 29 percent of white veterans and 31 percent of Hispanic veterans in that age category, according to data provided to McClatchy by the Veterans Health Administration.
Last summer, before the vaccine was available, the VA held listening sessions with Black and minority veterans to get their advice on how to build trust in the COVID-19 vaccine.
