Safety looks different for everyone. And in communities of color, there’s often a mistrust of the health care system.

“We don’t really trust. We’ve been used as guinea pigs for a really long time,” Rose Marie Allen said.

With so much concern about COVID-19, there’s now a stronger effort to make sure everyone has equal access to vaccinations, especially in predominantly Black neighborhoods.

“To have this in Five Points, where a lot of the African American community is, is huge,” Jessica Newsome said.

This vaccination event is part of the Colorado Vaccine Equity Task Force, which exists to ensure all groups are informed about their options and have the opportunity to get vaccination shots for free.

“This is what success looks like,” said Maisha Fields, Advisor to Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

Fields is also a registered nurse and says getting people of color vaccinated is all about location and trust.

“If we’re going to be intentional about making sure that everyone has equal access to the vaccine, we’re going to have to go to those communities and we’re going to have to go to places that are trusted in those communities to make sure that they are vaccinated,” she said.

Places like Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center.

“This is about, if you want the vaccine, you should have access to it,” JeFF Fard said.

Fard runs the center and says he’s allowing it to be used as a vaccination site so citizens who are often overlooked or underserved have access.

“You see the demand. You see folks taking advantage of the opportunity and it makes all the difference in the world,” he said. “And a matter of fact, it could mean the difference between life and death.”

There are statistics that show African Americans are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19, so vaccination clinics held at places like cultural centers could save even more lives.

Many of the people who showed up at Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center say they’re much more comfortable getting vaccinated by someone who looks like them.

“They appointed me to a Black nurse, and I felt comfortable immediately because I know that she understands me and my body,” Allen said. “And more than anything she understood my fears.”

Fears that could be eased, one shot at a time.

CINCINNATI —

Ohio's vaccine distribution is gaining speed. With the addition of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, introduction of mass vaccination sites in the state and expanded eligibility for Ohioans who want the shot, vaccine distributors are able to get more shots into arms than at any point in the pandemic.

With the expansion has come new challenges.

WLWT spoke with Dr. Melba Moore, Cincinnati's health commissioner, regarding problems that were exposed during the city's first attempts at holding mass vaccination clinics.

The Cincinnati Health Department held the first mass vaccination clinics in the city over the last several days, including the largest to date Saturday at the Duke Energy Center, Moore admits it is time for "fine tuning."

The health department was prepared to vaccinate 5,000 people Saturday at the Duke Energy Center. It was able to pre-register and vaccinate 4,177 people.

"So we fell short," she said. "We didn't push hard enough with the information. I know it was Friday evening that a call went out to the media."

In the future, Moore acknowledged that the department needs to communicate earlier about opportunities for vaccination.

WLWT received concerns from viewers that the city's health department website and online vaccine sign-up is not user-friendly and that there were some glitches.

The website does appear outdated in some areas, including on the Vaccine Information & Sign-up page, which as of Monday evening, refers to potential weather interference for vaccine appointments on Feb. 11.

Moore said the health department is aware of complaints with various aspects of the website and is working to address those concerns and make the site and sign-up process easier to navigate.

"Tell us what is not working. We want to hear that feedback," she said. "This is always very helpful for us to hear what the concerns are so we can make those adjustments."

Some people have expressed frustration that vaccines provided at the mass vaccination clinics run by the Cincinnati Health Department were only available to people who live or work within city limits.

Hamilton County's health department, as well as many neighboring health departments, are vaccinating anyone who is eligible according to Ohio's eligibility requirements, regardless of residency.

WLWT asked Moore about that decision and if she has considered changing the policy.

"We are considering changing that," she said. "Because remember, we had a limited supply of vaccine that we were working with. So see how you start small and you build and work your way up? We're taking a look at that, scheduling too, to just open it up so that people can be vaccinated. If they live in Hamilton County, they can get vaccinated in the city. We're looking at that now."

With vaccine eligibility expanding in Ohio, Moore said she is optimistic.

"We are almost there. It's like a little glimmer of light. You can see it," she said.

She is also hopeful knowing that the city recorded just 12 new cases of COVID-19 Monday.