Groups most affected by Monkeypox outbreak least likely to be vaccinated, data shows

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Biden Administration says, while there’s now enough of the monkeypox vaccine to go around, the shots aren’t getting to the groups who need them most.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 47 percent of all vaccines that have been administered were to people who are white.

READ: OUC celebrates Florida Lineworker Appreciation Day, here’s what it means

Those who are Hispanic represent about 22-percent and Black Americans only represent about 10 percent of people who have received monkeypox vaccines.

According to the CDC, that 10 percent accounts for just a third of U.S. cases amongst African-Americans.

Central Florida Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Aftab Khan says he’s seeing a similar trend locally.

READ: Orange County rental assistance expands, offers more money

“50 percent of the population affected by monkeypox is people of color. They’re blacks and Latinos,” Dr. Khan said. " They’re the ones who are getting the least.”

According to the CDC, there are now 1,739 monkeypox cases in Florida. 192 are in Central Florida counties.

The Biden Administration said Friday the disparity may be a matter of where the shots are being offered, and mistrust with public health efforts.

READ: Man accused in Orange County cold case murder asks to get out of jail

Officials with the health department in Osceola County say they’re partnering with faith-based organizations to help close the gap.

They’re also working to organize community vaccination events.

Officials in Seminole County say the disparity can be attributed to a vaccine shortage they’ve dealt with for weeks.

READ: Talking trash: Seminole County to raise trash pick up fees for residents

“In the entire state of Florida, we received 65,000 shots, so that’s not a lot,” Seminole County Emergency Management Director Alan Harris said. “Consider the vaccine is a two-shot…that’s 30,000 individuals that could potentially get a shot. Now you have to spread that across the entire state of Florida.”

And when they do have the vaccine available, Harris says people aren’t waiting around to snatch them up.

“These appointments are going in less than an hour. Every appointment is taken,” Harris said.

READ: Redacted affidavit reveals what the FBI found in Mar-a-Lago search

However, Harris says, they’re planning ahead. The county has plans to open vaccine sites to make them much more available.

For more information on monkeypox in Florida, click here.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group