Native Americans and the Covid-19 Vaccine

Written by: Clayton Long

CDC Advisers to Review Data on Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine | U.S. News® | US News

 The virus SARS-CoV-2 has been an unprecedented burden on the Native American population for almost the past year. They have seen a death rate percentage that is higher than any other race, an infection rate that is higher, and an economic impact that could have lasting effects longer than any other population might see. A light of hope is that they are now getting the Covid-19 vaccine at a positive rate, quicker than many other communities as well. This is something that needs to keep happening, as they are more susceptible to the virus and need some form of help in regards of immunity to it.

Death rates have varied among different races in the United States, but one thing has remained common, Native Americans have seen a higher death rate than any other race. One in every 475 Native Americans has died from Covid-19, compare this to others and you see statistics like one in every 825 White American has died, one in every 645 Black American has died, one in every 835 Latino American has died, and one in every 1320 Asian American has died (Ellis). Those are quite substantial differences, especially when you take into population size, as the Native American population is already quite small compared to others. In January of 2021, there were 985 deaths among Native Americans, this was up 35% from December of 2020, which showed quite an increase from previous months (Ellis). Many of these deaths are elders of the tribes as well, for example the Rosebud Reservation had lost 25 members as of the 19^th of February, compiling mainly of their elders (Siegler). There are many reasons that can be attributed to the fatality rate being higher. These include disease like diabetes and heart disease being common, as well as drug and alcohol abuse being factors as well, as the virus hits harder on weaker immune systems (Ellis). Another factor is availability to get help when effected, hospitals have been overwhelmed since the start of the pandemic and beds have been full at some points in most states throughout the time. It is already hard enough for some Native Americans as transport may not be readily available in their area, so getting treatment for the symptoms may be next to impossible.

Infection rates have been high as well, as key factors such as sanitation, access to running water, and electricity can drive rates up. It is estimated for the Navajo population that about one-third lack access to running water and electricity (Ellis). Making sanitary conditions harder to come by and possibly leading to easier spreading.  In June of 2020, the Southwest Navajo Nation saw an infection rate of 3.4%, which compared to New York State at the time, New York had a 1.9% rate (Ellis). This risk of infection has obviously taken its toll in the area of fatalities from the virus, but it has also taken its tole in the economic standpoint for the tribes. Economically they are suffering from the damage the virus has done. Casino’s, public services, and other forms of money and community service have almost all been shut down. The Hualapai tribe closed down the skywalk that hangs over the grand canyon, this was to protect against the virus and it closed near the beginning of the pandemic, however while it protected against spread it also shut down their primary source of revenue (Mineo). Tribes get money through areas like attractions, gambling enterprises, and other sources. However, with these sources shutting down due to the large volumes of people that they bring in and the possible spread it could have brought, it has taken a huge toll on their economies. In 2019, tribal gambling enterprises generated $17.7 billion in taxes for the Federal, States, and Local systems, while also providing 1.1 million jobs (Mineo). Native American households already on average make less than the average American household, for Native Americans its $39,700 annually and for other Americans it’s $57,600 annually (Mineo). So, while they were already struggling, the virus has come in and taken an even bigger gouge out of their economy. Which brings up the hopeful solution, as long as efficacy rates hold, that the vaccine can solve these problems in the near future.

Luckily for the Native Americans, the Indian Health Services has been a good gamble for them and for the reservations and tribes who have gone through them for their vaccines. They have been able to vaccinate their communities at a higher rate than almost any other place in the country. One example is in South Dakota, the Rosebud Reservation went through IHS and they have been able to vaccinate at almost twice the rate as the rest of their state (Mineo). The Navajo have also seen great success, as they have 21,000 fully vaccinated and more than 100,000 with at least one dose completed (Mineo). This is good news as they are most certainly the group that needs it first and will see the benefits quicker than anyone else. Due to their death rate, infection rate, and economic downturn, vaccinating their community will hopefully bring back the hope for success among Native Americans again and finally kill off this pandemic for them.

Sources:

Ellis, Ralph. COVID Deadlier for Native Americans Than Other Groups. WebMD. 05 Feb,     2021

-COVID Deadlier for Native Americans Than Other Groups (webmd.com)

 

Mineo, Liz. For Native Americans, COVID-19 is ‘the worst of both worlds at the same time’.      Harvard Gazette. 08 May, 2020.

-The impact of COVID-19 on Native American communities – Harvard Gazette

 

Siegler, Kirk. Why Native Americans Are Getting COVID-19 Vaccines Faster. NPR. 19 Feb, 2021.

-Why Native Americans Are Getting COVID-19 Vaccines Faster : NPR