Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Between Urban and Rural Counties - United States, December 14,
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
|May 20, 2021
Summary
COVID-19 vaccination coverage was lower in rural areas compared to urban areas. Public health efforts should address barriers to vaccination in rural communities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Rural populations represent 19.3% of the U.S. population and face higher COVID-19 risks due to factors like limited healthcare access and higher rates of comorbidities.
- COVID-19 incidence surpassed urban rates in rural counties by September 2020, highlighting the vulnerability of these communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze COVID-19 vaccination disparities between rural and urban populations in the United States.
- To identify differences in vaccination coverage across various demographic groups and geographic classifications.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of county-level COVID-19 vaccine administration data (first dose) from December 2020 to April 2021 across 50 U.S. jurisdictions.
- Comparison of vaccination coverage rates among adults (≥18 years) in rural versus urban counties, stratified by age, sex, and jurisdiction.
Main Results:
- Overall COVID-19 vaccination coverage was lower in rural counties (38.9%) compared to urban counties (45.7%).
- Lower vaccination rates in rural areas were observed across all analyzed age and sex demographics, including adults aged 18-64 and ≥65 years, women, and men.
- A higher percentage of individuals in the most rural counties traveled to nonadjacent counties for vaccination (14.6%) compared to those in urban counties (10.3%).
Conclusions:
- Significant disparities in COVID-19 vaccination coverage exist between rural and urban populations in the U.S.
- Targeted public health interventions are crucial to overcome barriers and improve vaccine uptake in rural communities.
- Collaboration with community partners is essential to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccination for all populations.
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