So let's talk about a Black person being the first vaccine recipient in the U.S. This is a massive personal sacrifice that will go a long way in encouraging more Black people to get vaccinated. Why?

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine trials did not enroll many Black people. Here's info from one Phase 1/2 trial focused on immunogenicity: "Most participants were caucasian (96.7%) with one African American and Asian participant (1.7% each)." Notice something weird?

The lack of diversity is an issue for all COVID vaccine candidates. I have been asked above what this means for communities not included in the trials when it comes to receiving the vaccine. My answer: get the vaccine. Why?

We know COVID has had disproportionately higher impact on racialized persons. While lack of racial diversity in testing is regrettable, the vaccine will be more beneficial than the alternative: getting COVID.

Pfizer has stated that efficacy "was consistent across age, gender, race and ethnicity demographics." I have not seen a similar statement on safety but they did say they recorded no serious adverse effects. What does this tell me?

I think it's that risk-benefit balance on this preliminary data (preliminary x2 for racialized folks) favours the benefit side of things with at worst, the risk that missing safety data in racialized folks makes a difference in how the vaccine affects them.

This is why I think it is very brave and important that Sandra Lindsay, a Black nurse, stepped forward to be the first vaccinated. It will calm anxiety. But it is also a signal that the status quo needs to change. And fast.

Black bodies often bear the risks for scientific/medical progress that benefits us all, without any of the rewards. That needs to change.