The maps show that the CEPs most affected by COVID-19 have low vaccination rates

The maps show that the CEPs most affected by COVID-19 have low vaccination rates

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Since the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine began, experts have warned that much attention would be needed to ensure that it is distributed equitably. Ensuring that non-white, poorer communities have access to life-saving vaccines would be a matter of justice and a public health need. Throughout 2020, these groups had higher rates of death and illnesses caused by the virus than white, wealthy people, so protecting them would be the key to the overall goal of using vaccines to save the most lives.

Despite these warnings, the COVID-10 vaccination campaign had a difficult and uneven start. In mid-January, when 17 states were reporting race and ethnicity data, analyzes showed that blacks and Hispanics were vaccinated at rates lower than their share of the population. The pattern continued into February. Across the country, wealthy, white people were attending vaccination clinics in poorer neighborhoods, expelling local residents who are not as capable of navigating the vaccination application process.

Many cities, including New York, Chicago and Washington, DC, publish maps showing vaccination rates for COVID-19 by zip code or ward. Looking at them alongside maps of areas with the highest COVID-19 death rates is impressive: they are almost the other way around. The authorities are trying to correct the course by prioritizing residents of poor neighborhoods to some vaccination sites, organizing events in community centers like churches, or going door to door.

But the visuals are a clear sign of how much work still needs to be done.

New York City

Overall, about 11 percent of people in New York City received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. But in some areas of the city with the highest COVID-19 death rates due to the pandemic, only about 3 to 5 percent of people have started vaccinations.

From the 16th of February.
Image: NYC Health

From the 16th of February.
Image: NYC Health

Washington DC

Older people eligible for vaccination in the wealthier wards of Washington, DC, are more likely to have been vaccinated than people in the poorest, predominantly Black wards.

On February 15th.
Image: District of Columbia Government

From February 14th.
Image: District of Columbia Government

Chicago

Only 4% of residents in a major Hispanic Chicago CEP received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, although that area had one of the highest mortality rates in the city.

From the 13th of February.
Image: City of Chicago

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