Early data regarding who’s gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 in Connecticut shows a majority of the individuals inoculated so far are white.

The state Department of Public Health released data last week showing that white residents are getting inoculated at about two times the rate as Black and Hispanic residents.

While the data is preliminary, it confirms the existence of racial disparities, which public health officials and others warned about in the lead-up to vaccine rollout.

In response, the state is “redoubling” its efforts to get the vaccine to those disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, including reallocating additional doses to communities with large minority populations, Deidre Gifford, acting commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, said in a statement.

With residents age 65 and older now eligible to be inoculated, the department is directing vaccinators, including local health districts, to focus their outreach efforts on vulnerable populations, including minorities and lower-income residents, saying in a Feb. 7 memo that “a disproportionate share” of the vaccine has gone to “wealthier and whiter residents.”

That’s in spite of the fact that in Connecticut, and across the country, Blacks and Hispanics have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

State Rep. Anthony Nolan, D-New London, said the data “proves the concentration is not as much on the Black and Brown community as much as it should be.”

Surveys have shown that Black residents, who’ve experienced a history of mistreatment by the medical community and the government, are least likely to want to get vaccinated. Nolan said that’s a big reason for his push to have churches involved in the vaccine rollout.

"The churches are now getting the capability of doing it, but it's after the fact," Nolan said.

To promote an upcoming vaccine clinic in New London, Ledge Light Health District is working with city officials, nonprofit organizations such as Thames Valley Council for Community Action, faith-based organizations and other trusted institutions in the community to get the word out.

The clinic, which is by appointment only, is taking place Saturday at Jennings Elementary School, and initial registration data shows the outreach efforts might be working. Of those registered so far, 47% are people of color and 50% live in New London, said Steve Mansfield, director at Ledge Light. The health district anticipates inoculating 400-plus people at Saturday’s clinic.

“Some of the barriers include lack of transportation, lack of internet and many don’t speak English,” said Jeanne Milstein, New London’s director of human services, who’s been involved in the outreach efforts.

The New London Senior Center is helping to coordinate transportation to vaccine clinics, and Ledge Light continues to work with public school officials in New London to identify sites that are accessible to underserved populations, including those who don’t have access to a car. 

Patrick McCormack, director at Uncas Health District, said as the state continues to release more information about which populations are getting inoculated, that will help inform decisions being made by vaccine administrators on where to hold clinics and whom to target.

Uncas Health District is taking a similar approach to Ledge Light by partnering with community organizations, which already have established relationships with some of these underserved communities.

Deborah Monahan, executive director of TVCCA, said her organization has started reaching out to its clients who are eligible for the vaccine, but who don't have internet access, to help them schedule appointments. Employees are also reaching out to clients whose first language is not English, she said.

"We’re truly trusted by the people we serve and this is another way to help people," Monahan said.

j.bergman@theday.com