Spatial modeling of vaccine deserts as barriers to controlling SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Background COVID-19 vaccine distribution is at risk of further propagating the inequities of COVID-19, which in the United States (US) has disproportionately impacted the elderly, people of color, and the medically vulnerable. We sought to measure if the disparities seen in the geographic distribution of other COVID-19 healthcare resources were also present during the initial rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods Using a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine database (VaccineFinder), we built an empirically parameterized spatial model of access to essential resources that incorporated vaccine supply, time-willing-to-travel for vaccination, and previous vaccination across the US. We then identified vaccine deserts—US Census tracts with localized, geographic barriers to vaccine-associated herd immunity. We link our model results with Census data and two high-resolution surveys to understand the distribution and determinates of spatially accessibility to the COVID-19 vaccine. Results We find that in early 2021, vaccine deserts were home to over 30 million people, >10% of the US population. Vaccine deserts were concentrated in rural locations and communities with a higher percentage of medically vulnerable populations. We also find that in locations of similar urbanicity, early vaccination distribution disadvantaged neighborhoods with more people of color and older aged residents. Conclusion Given sufficient vaccine supply, data-driven vaccine distribution to vaccine deserts may improve immunization rates and help control COVID-19.

Association between face mask use and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Cross-sectional study

“…The results contradict earlier randomized and non-randomized studies of the effectiveness of mask-wearing on the risk of infection [4,9,[19][20][21][22][23][24]. Most of these studies reported that wearing a face mask reduced the risk of COVID-19 infection.…”

Racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake: A mediation framework

“…Decreased access to vaccination has been observed in minoritized, lower-income, or rural communities, as vaccine administration locations were less likely to exist in these areas in the early vaccine rollout process. [44] , [45] These access barriers are related to socioeconomic conditions, but are distinct influences on vaccine uptake and should be investigated further.…”

Occupational COVID-19 Exposures and Illnesses among Workers in California—Analysis of a New Occupational COVID-19 Surveillance System

“…California’s incidence of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity among workers by occupation and industry is undetermined, and signs and symptoms for worker populations have not yet been documented. Furthermore, while rural communities have experienced high COVID-19 mortality rates [ 16 ], faced barriers to tele-healthcare [ 17 ], and have less access to COVID-19 vaccines compared to urban counterparts [ 18 ], rural communities have largely been excluded from COVID-19 research, and little is known about their experience with occupational COVID-19 [ 19 ]. In order to guide workplace COVID-19 policies and recommendations, it is critical to understand which workers are exposed at work, how they may be exposed, and their health outcomes.…”