An Educational Campaign to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Rates among Black Residents
Tuesday, April 26, 2022, Travis County launched an educational campaign called 40K Your Way to help get 70 percent of the County’s Black residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As of spring 2022, only about 35,110 of the estimated 97,000 eligible African Americans in Travis County have completed the primary series of their COVID-19 vaccination.
That’s about 36 percent of the eligible population, the lowest rate compared to other race and ethnicity groups in the County.
Vaccination Status of Travis County Residents Age 5+ by Race on March 28, 2022 (Source: Austin Public Health)
To reach 70 percent fully vaccinated, about 40,000 more Black residents need to receive two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
“Why I Got Vaccinated” - Hear from Your Neighbors
Deneitra Hutchinson
Pastor Daryl Horton
Para Agboga
Nakevia Miller
Mia Greer
Dr. Charles Moody
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted existing inequities in our community. Based on our current vaccination rates, we must all come together and do better for our fellow neighbors,” said Jeffrey Travillion, Travis County Commissioner for Precinct One. “I’m proud of Travis County’s continued efforts to protect our vulnerable populations by educating our public and providing easily accessible vaccine opportunities.”
Get the Facts, Make an Informed Decision
Did you know…?
Compared to white, non-Hispanic people, the rate of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 was 2.4 times higher for Black or African-American non-Hispanics and the rate of death was 1.7 times higher.
People from racial and ethnic minority groups often develop chronic medical conditions at younger ages, making them more susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19.
40K Your Way aims to help address vaccine hesitancy and share accurate information about the vaccines.
Talk to your doctor and ask about COVID-19 vaccines.
Our COVID-19 numbers may be low right now in Austin-Travis County, but that doesn’t mean we should stop protecting ourselves and our loved ones.
FREE clinics open near you: www.traviscountytx.gov/COVID19
Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
It’s okay to be skeptical and have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.
We know there’s a history of unethical medical research involving Black Americans. We also know there are healthcare inequities.
Helpful Resources
Risk for COVID-19 Infection, Hospitalization, and Death By Race/Ethnicity
COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women
Demographics of the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials
Myths and Facts about COVID-19 vaccines
40K Your Way Partners
Travis County residents are encouraged to follow the 40K Your Way campaign on the County and partner organizations’ social media channels.
- African American Youth Harvest Foundation
- Alliance for African American Health in Central Texas
- Austin Area Urban League
- Austin Black Physicians Association
- Austin Public Health
- Austin Voices
- Baptist Ministers Union
- Black Men’s Health Clinic
- Black Professional Alliance
- Building Promises USA
- Capitol View Arts
- Central Health
- Central Texas Allied Health Institute
- City of Austin African American Resource Advisory Commission
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc (Mu Beta Sigma Alumnae Chapter)
- Central Texas Chapter of National Forum for Black Public Administrators
- City of Manor officials
- City of Pflugerville officials
- Clarence Watson
- CommUnity Care
- Community Coalition for Health
- Community Resilience Trust
- Jewel Mullen, Dell Medical School
- El Buen Samaritano
- East Austin Creative Coalition
- Epsilon Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
- NAACP Austin
- People’s Community Clinic
- United Way for Greater Austin
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (Alpha Kappa Zeta Graduate Chapter, Austin)
- Walking by Faith Prison Ministry
- Austin, TX Chapter of the Links, Inc.
Travis County offers FREE COVID-19 vaccinations at mobile clinics around the County.
