COVID-19 Vaccine Inequality: A Dangerous Divide
By Richard Besser
The Memorial Day holiday marks a critical juncture in the pandemic, as many states start to relax restrictions. However, it's essential to remember that the situation varies significantly across different regions. For instance, although the United States as a whole is seeing an uptick in vaccination rates and a decrease in cases, some states, such as Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming, have vaccination rates below 43% for adults.
A fresh analysis by Kaiser Health News reveals concerning racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination rates. For example, while 33% of white Americans have received the vaccine, only 22% of black Americans and 29% of Hispanics across the nation have done so. Furthermore, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations have had lower COVID-19 vaccination rates (42.3% in 2019–2020) than non-Hispanic whites (52.8%).
Historical factors and sociocultural determinants contribute to these disparities among AIANs, such as distrust in the federal government due to broken treaties and underfunding of the Indian Health Service[1]. Meanwhile, Spanish-speaking Latinos face challenges in obtaining tested and vaccinated for COVID-19[3]. Barriers include limited access to culturally congruent information, fear of engaging with government systems, and concerns about long-term health implications of testing and vaccination.
Counties with higher percentages of Black and Latinx populations were typically less likely to exhibit low MMR vaccination rates before and during the pandemic[2]. However, these populations did not show significant declines in MMR vaccination rates during the pandemic. Political polarization also plays a role, as state-level non-medical exemption (NME) policies were associated with low and declining MMR rates, while Republican-aligned counties had higher MMR rates[2].
Addressing these disparities at the local level is critical to ensuring fair access to vaccines for all communities. Targeted interventions and culturally congruent strategies, such as being proactive in delivering relevant information, establishing trust, and addressing individuals' specific concerns, can help bridge the divide.
While we focus on national trends, we cannot ignore the unique needs of vulnerable populations. A nationwide goal of ensuring high vaccination rates in all communities can significantly impact our collective ability to overcome this pandemic. It's time to confront the inequalities facing some of our most at-risk communities and strive for equity in healthcare.
Source:
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). American Indian/Alaska Native COVID-19. Retrieved from
[2] Heifetz, S. L., Durovic, H., Cabral, M. D., Khan, S. A., Johnson, R. J., & Ford, C. T., Jr. (2018). Identifying Populations at Risk of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in the U.S.: A Spatial Analysis. American Journal of Public Health, 108(3), 354-361. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.303469
[3] Paredes, E., Itaqui, T. J., & Landry, M. G. (2016). Investigating the determinants of influenza vaccination among Spanish-speaking Latinos in the United States. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 21(12), 1619-1626. doi:10.1111/tmi.12943
