Amish Among Under-Vaccinated Population
The race to get the majority of populations vaccinated against COVID-19 is meeting some resistance in a particular semi-closed community in parts of the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania and Southern Tier of New York.
The COVID-19 vaccination drive is falling far behind in the deeply religious and conservative Amish communities across the U.S.
The Associated Press reports the Amish don’t have any religious beliefs that forbid them from getting vaccines. But experts say their mistrust of the government and wariness about preventive medicine are fueling the low rates.
Another factor they say is the widespread skepticism in the rural places where the Amish live. Public health officials are trying to combat that. They’ve put up billboards, posters and reached out to bishops in Amish churches. But that has done little to increase vaccinations among the Amish.