Professor Iris Lopez speaks on CBS News about current hesitancy in Latinx communities regarding vaccination for COVID-19. See the clip HERE!

The Biden administration faces several hurdles to inoculating the U.S. against COVID-19 as quickly as possible, including hesitancy among Latino communities. A recent poll shows nearly half of Latinos in the U.S. will wait and see how the vaccine affects those who receive the shot. Professor Iris Lopez, the director of the Latin American and Latino Studies Program at City College of New York, spoke to CBSN’s Tanya Rivero about the history of mistrust among Latinos with the medical community.

Dr. Iris López is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Program in Latin American and Latin@ Studies at City College, a program she has directed for several terms beginning in 1999. Previously, Dr. López has chaired the Sociology Department (2013-2016).

In addition to establishing key academic connections between Latin American, Caribbean, and Chicano/a Studies programs, her research and publications on the Puerto Rican Diaspora in Hawai’i and on sterilization abuse of Puerto Rican women has highlighted crucial connections to globalization, reproductive freedom, and social justice. As an invited speaker and panelist at numerous U.S.-based and international conferences, Dr. López continues to present critical work and speak about her areas of expertise in Latino/ education, gender issues, pre-natal care, and sterilization abuse.