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Ensuring Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation in New Hampshire: The First Eight Months toward a New Era
Taylor D Selembo1, Elizabeth A Talbot1,2, Christophe T Courtine1
1New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Concord, NH 03301, USA.
Insights
New Hampshire
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Equity
- Epidemiology
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic highlighted social vulnerabilities and racial disparities.
- Disproportionate morbidity and mortality necessitate equitable vaccine allocation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline New Hampshire's transparent framework for COVID-19 vaccine allocation.
- To detail the process, challenges, and lessons learned in allocating vaccines equitably.
Main Methods:
- Developed a transparent framework for vaccine allocation.
- Allocated 10% of vaccine supply to vulnerable populations using a national vulnerability index.
- Emphasized public understanding, engagement, and broad partnerships for vaccine delivery.
Main Results:
- A flexible, publicly available framework facilitated equitable vaccine distribution.
- Public engagement and broad partnerships were crucial for addressing delivery disparities.
- Valuable lessons were learned regarding operational approaches and ethical considerations.
Conclusions:
- Equitable vaccine allocation requires transparent, flexible, and well-communicated strategies.
- Public health emergencies benefit from adaptable frameworks and strong community partnerships.
- Lessons learned can improve future responses to public health crises.
Abstract:
The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been exacerbated by social vulnerabilities and racial disparities, resulting in disproportionate morbidity and mortality that require continued attention to strategies that ensure equitable vaccine allocation. The State of New Hampshire (NH) developed a transparent framework to guide COVID-19 vaccine allocation plans, of which one key component was the allocation of 10% of vaccine supply to disproportionately impacted and highly vulnerable populations, predominantly identified through a national vulnerability index. The process, operational approaches, ethical challenges, and unanticipated consequences resulted in many valuable lessons learned. Equitable allocation of this limited and critical pandemic countermeasure required public understanding and engagement, which was achieved through a publicly available framework that was flexible, resourced using public funds, and widely communicated. Broad partnerships were also critical to addressing disparities in the delivery of vaccine. The lessons learned and described here will facilitate more nimble and equitable jurisdictional responses in future public health emergencies.
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