Racial disparities in COVID-19 vaccination persist

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show COVID-19 vaccination rates for Blacks are lower than those of whites in almost every state. Nationally, fewer Hispanic Americans are vaccinated than white Americans, but in eight states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, Hispanic vaccination rates exceed those of their white counterparts. Asian American vaccination rates are high in most states, and Native American rates are even higher, with 45% of this population having received at least one dose. According to Kaiser Health News, “The analysis underscores how vaccine disparities have improved as availability has opened up and Biden administration officials have attempted to prioritize equitable distribution.” Nearly half of vaccination records do not include race or ethnicity information. (Kaiser Health News article, 5/20/21)