Spatial Patterns of COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage by Social Vulnerability Index and Designated COVID-19 Vaccine Sites in Texas

Abstract

Equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine remains a public health priority. This study explores the association between ZIP Code–Tabulation Area level Social Vulnerability Indices (SVI) and COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Texas. A mixed-effects, multivariable, random-intercept negative binomial model was used to explore the association between ZIP Code–Tabulation Area level SVI and COVID-19 vaccination coverage stratified by the availability of a designated vaccine access site. Lower COVID-19 vaccine coverage was observed in ZIP codes with the highest overall SVIs (adjusted mean difference (aMD) = −13, 95% CI, −23.8 to −2.1, p < 0.01), socioeconomic characteristics theme (aMD = −16.6, 95% CI, −27.3 to −5.7, p = 0.01) and housing and transportation theme (aMD = −18.3, 95% CI, −29.6 to −7.1, p < 0.01) compared with the ZIP codes with the lowest SVI scores. The vaccine coverage was lower in ZIP Code–Tabulation Areas with higher median percentages of Hispanics (aMD = −3.3, 95% CI, −6.5 to −0.1, p = 0.04) and Blacks (aMD = −3.7, 95% CI, −6.4 to −1, p = 0.01). SVI negatively impacted COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Texas. Access to vaccine sites did not address disparities related to vaccine coverage among minority populations. These findings are relevant to guide the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in regions with similar demographic and geospatial characteristics.

Investigating the spatial accessibility and coverage of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine: an ecologic study of regional health data

“…One previous study looking at COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Texas found that ZCTAs with higher than the median percentage of Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native residents had significantly lower rates of vaccine coverage. 26 Our analysis found that the percentage of AI/AN residents was associated with lower rates of school age vaccine coverage in the multivariate model without interactions, but this relationship was non-significant in the model with interactions. Meanwhile, the percent Asian, Hispanic, and NH/PI residents were all associated with higher levels of vaccine coverage.…”

“…Percentage of household poverty was also negatively associated with school age vaccination rates which is consistent with previous work looking at vaccination coverage and healthcare utilization during the pandemic. 8,26…”

What Makes Urban Communities More Resilient to COVID-19? A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

“…It is the ability to replenish and maintain the necessary normal operations in the face of damage caused by a disaster. For example, it is important to distribute the vaccine, which is currently not abundant, to front-line and vulnerable people to ensure proper functioning and effective distribution of the vaccine in the face of the COVID-19 infection [ 62 , 63 ].…”

Factors Associated with COVID‐19 Vaccine Uptake Among High School Students in a Large, Diverse Metropolitan Area

“…5 Furthermore, after months of vaccine availability, disparities in vaccine uptake were evident with disproportionately lower vaccine uptake among lower socioeconomic and minority adults. 6 By January 31, 2022, an estimated 83% of Asian-Americans, 62% of Hispanic-Americans, 61% of White-Americans, and 55% of Black-Americans were vaccinated. 7 In Texas, these rates were 74%, 61%, 53%, and 47%, respectively.…”

“…Despite studies showing that the vaccine effectively prevented severe disease among adolescents, 2,3 at the time of this study, January 1, 2022, the vaccination rate for adolescents was approximately 10% lower than for the US population (63.0%) 4 with only 54.9% of adolescents (12‐17 years old) nationwide and 53.8% in Texas being fully vaccinated 5 . Furthermore, after months of vaccine availability, disparities in vaccine uptake were evident with disproportionately lower vaccine uptake among lower socioeconomic and minority adults 6 . By January 31, 2022, an estimated 83% of Asian‐Americans, 62% of Hispanic‐Americans, 61% of White‐Americans, and 55% of Black‐Americans were vaccinated 7 .…”