Texas University Denies COVID Vaccine Over Immigration Status
- Miriam Frutos Rodriguez
- Apr 23, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: May 28, 2021
BURBANK, CA -- After a year of battling COVID-19 states are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. States have implemented plans to vaccinate vulnerable communities such as older adults, those with pre-existing conditions and medical staff. The undocumented immigrant community however still faces inequality. During February in a vaccination site at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley multiple were turned away due to lack of social security numbers.
Jesus Diaz a pre-diabetic 61-year old Texas resident experienced the vaccine inequality. When Diaz showed up to UTRGV he was turned away. The reason was that he was unable to provide workers with a valid social security number.
(Credit Mat Napo // Woman giving vaccine)
The incident caused outrage and concerns among the community. According to CDC data Latinos are amongst the group with the higher mortality rate in the United States.
According to the Texas Department of Health Services, 14,497,571 doses have been administered and 5,721,979 people are fully vaccinated. However, issues like the one that Diaz experienced affect on who gets vaccinated many times due to fear of being detained.
Throughout the United States, only 9% of Hispanics are fully vaccinated compared to over 68% of their white counterparts.
The University apologized via Twitter but that may not be enough to change the communities' perception.
(Credit: UTRGV // Apology)
The apology however does not undo the moral damage. In an interview with The Washington Post Diaz told them he felt anger and shame, he felt discriminated. He recalls staff telling him "Vaccines here are exclusive for American citizens and legal residents of this country.”
While UTRGV announced that they will be reaching out to everyone who has turned away, it does not mean that they will be back.
When The Washington Post asked Diaz about his thoughts on going back Diaz said "I really don’t want to go there, I’m ashamed to go back."
By: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez
Contribution: The Guardian, The Washington Post
Photo: UTRGV
Audio: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez
Video: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Comments