it's been quite a challenge for our people to get access to the vaccine. >> reporter: latinos make up just under 50% of covid-related deaths here, even though they're only about a third of the population of austin. are they the type of workers who can afford to miss a couple of days of work after they get the vaccine shot? >> no, and that's another reason why people have been most hesitant. >> reporter: what has you hesitant to take the vaccine? >> my father, for example, he took both shots and got real bad with covid a month later. i'm waiting to see it out. >> reporter: but for people like reynaldo and rosa, the patience and persistence of these groups has finally moved the needle. >> our thanks to nbc news correspondent antonia hilton for that report. coming up, the everyone is talking about aoc's met gala