06/30/2021

Ensuring Equitable Access to COVID Vaccines

More must be done for those in poor, rural areas especially

More than 153 million people in the United States are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While this is laudable progress, much work remains to be done to ensure every American gets equitable access to this vital resources. Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows the extent of the disparity: Across 41 states, 44 percent of white people have gotten at least one dose, while only 31 percent of Black people and 35 percent of Hispanic people can say the same as of early June.

Attributing these disproportionate rates to “vaccine hesitancy,” as many commentators have done, sidesteps a confrontation the country must have with the barriers to vaccine access among communities of color and people living in low-income and rural areas.

f we close the gaps that have created such stark health disparities, we can end the pandemic, fully reopen the economy, and allow the country to rebuild on an even stronger, more equitable foundation. Community-based organizations—groups that have established long-term relationships with their neighbors and solidified their trust during the pandemic—are essential to achieving these goals.

Please select this link to read the complete article from SSIR.