Judge Hidalgo reveals 'Stay Smart, Do Your Part' campaign on vaccine

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo launched a new COVID-19 vaccine campaign Thursday.

The grassroots and paid advertising campaign is aimed to engage residents who may be hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to Hidalgo's office, the campaign is titled "Stay Smart, Do Your Part," and it highlights the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

RELATED: New numbers show Black, Hispanic communities under-vaccinated

Not only has COVID-19 disproportionately affected minority communities, but coronavirus vaccine distribution has been extremely limited for them as well. ABC13's Ted Oberg breaks down why this is happening and what is needed to serve these communities better.

Newly released vaccine data from Harris County shows that Black and Hispanic communities are under-vaccinated.

The data that is available shows 48.3% of vaccinated residents in Houston and Harris County are white, 13.4% are Asian, 12.45 are Black, 11.3% are Hispanic or Latino and 14% is listed as "other," according to city data. When comparing those percentages with the population of each race countywide, more white and Asian residents are being vaccinated compared to Hispanic and Black residents.

The city of Houston's Health Department says Hispanics have accounted for 55% of COVID-19 deaths, compared to 21% of Blacks and 18% of whites, and 5.5% of Asians.

Across the country, the CDC data shows that, compared to whites, Hispanics are 1.7 times more likely to get COVID-19, four times more likely to end up in the hospital, and almost three times as likely to die.

A study from the University of Houston found that one-third of Texans are likely to refuse a COVID-19 vaccine, and that reluctance is found to be especially true among communities of color.

The study comes as CDC data recently revealed that, of those vaccinated in the first month, only 11% were Hispanic, five percent were Black and six percent were Asian.

SEE ALSO: How access paired with distrust is impacting Hispanic communities getting COVID-19 vaccine

Even as vaccine mega-clinic appointments fill up in just minutes, a new study shows one-third of Texans would say no to the shot.