“We’re all in this together.”
This is the message Dr. Stacy Greene, infectious disease lead for DePaul Community Health Centers, wants everyone to hear in relation to getting the COVID-19 vaccination.
Formerly known as Daughters of Charity Health Centers, DCHC operates 10 community health centers throughout the New Orleans area and — through hosting vaccination sites and teaming up with partners like Dillard University and UnitedHealthcare — has vaccinated thousands of Southeast Louisiana residents, predominantly minority populations, but Greene realizes there’s still a long way to go. Between March 9 and March 22, 2021, 42% of vaccinations went to Black New Orleanians, a group that represents 60% of the population.
“Vaccination hesitancy is a big challenge,” he said, adding, “African-Americans historically have not been treated well by the healthcare system.”
Greene said the answer to hesitancy is, “Education, education, education.” He has personally been very hands-on in this area, frequently stepping out into the community to share his knowledge and expertise with community groups. “We have to answer the questions, use data to show that the vaccines are safe and effective, and dispel the misinformation. Remember that this [vaccine] technology has been around for years.”
While COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have dropped significantly from their peaks, minority populations remain the most highly affected by the disease — something Greene said is not surprising.
“This [virus] has shed more light on the disproportionality of how minorities are affected by diseases in this country,” he stated. “Going forward, we have to do something about these social determinants of health.”
