Richmond health officials are working to address the latest disparity in COVID-19 vaccinations, a racial difference among children.

According to Richmond Health District officials, African-American children ages 12 to 17 are being vaccinated against COVID-19 at a much lower rate than Caucasian and Latino children. Officials estimated that white children are two to three times more likely to get the vaccine as Black children.

Data show that while roughly 80 percent of white children and 70 percent of Latinx teens in Richmond are vaccinated, only 30 percent of African-American youths have been inoculated against the virus.

Community outreach efforts are underway to change that, according to health officials.

“We anticipate factors such as lack of access to resources that allow parents to get their kids vaccinated and distrust of health care and governmental systems play a role,” stated Jackie Lawrence, director of health equity with the Richmond and Henrico health districts. “Low vaccination rates are one of many ways that racism in the medical community has a long standing impact on how folks access lifesaving health care services.”

As of Wednesday, the state health department data show that 18.4 percent of cases statewide have hit people ages 19 and under since the pandemic began. That amounts to 158,332 total cases, with 1,090 hospitalizations and 13 deaths.

In Richmond, the total case count among those ages 19 and under is 3,556, with 30 hospitalizations and one death.

“While children tend to recover well from COVID-19, the potential to spread it to more vulnerable individuals in their family is high,” stated Dr. Melissa Viray, deputy director of the Richmond and Henrico health districts.

She said the racial disparity in vaccinations among youths “is deeply concerning to us, especially as we move into the fall and winter months when there is higher community transmission. Black communities were already disproportionately impacted last year before we had vaccinations.”

Officials said they are working with advocates and others, including youth sports leagues, to encourage youths to get vaccinated.

The Richmond and Henrico health districts also are expanding their partnerships with after-school programs and employers who hire young people to increase vaccinations, as well as offering a 3 to 6 p.m. timeframe at community vaccination hubs in the city for families to come in and get inoculated.

Officials also said they plan greater promotion of pharmacies that have after-school and weekend hours for people to get the vaccine.

For information on vaccinations and sites to get the vaccine, contact the Richmond City Health District at (804) 205-3501 or go to vaxrchd.com.