According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African Americans are dying from COVID-19 at a higher rate than Whites and non-Hispanics, but despite those statistics, research shows they’re overwhelmingly hesitant in signing up for the vaccine. 

The Bethlehem Progressive Baptist Church in Hernando County is encouraging seniors like Eugene Scott to line up to protect not just themselves but their family members as well. 

“I’m a believer in technology,” Scott said. "We’re losing too many African Americans and minority people because of this virus that we need to follow suit and get vaccinated.”

He doesn’t know why the hesitancy exists when both available vaccines proved to be around 95% effective in clinical trials.

“If it wasn’t safe, then they wouldn’t administer it. And I don’t know why we are afraid to get it. I mean if it saves lives, why not?” Scott asked.

He mentioned that the goal is to get back to some sense of normalcy, and the vaccine provides him the protection to be able to do that. 

“It’s beyond grateful. I’ve been trying to get this vaccine for I don’t know how long. I tried the VA. I tried to do it online,” Scott said.

He finally had luck when the church partnered with the health department.

Surveys show the African American community has trust issues with the safety and the effectiveness of the vaccine, but Scott said hopefully, with enough research, that will change.