Developing a Community-Oriented and Place-Based Strategy to Improve COVID-19 Vaccine Accessibility

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Healthcare

Background:

• Inequitable access to COVID-19 vaccines presented a significant public health challenge.
• Targeting resources to specific geographic areas is crucial for achieving health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a community-oriented, geographic vaccine strategy to improve equitable vaccine receipt.
• To identify ZIP codes with low vaccine uptake requiring increased resources and targeted interventions.

Main Methods:

• Developed "hot-spot" maps using COVID-19 incidence, hospitalization, social determinants of health, and predictive vaccine penetrance models.
• Collaborated with community organizations to implement targeted interventions in identified hot spots.
• Utilized pop-up clinics, mobile health vehicles, extended hours, and tailored text messages to increase vaccine access.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 70% vaccination rate in 83% of served ZIP codes by end of 2021, with an overall rate of 81%.
• Mobile health vehicles reached over two-thirds Hispanic or Black individuals in targeted hot spots.
• A refreshed monthly dashboard aided decision-makers in understanding and improving vaccination in 7 counties.

Conclusions:

• The hot-spotting methodology proved feasible for identifying and addressing disparities in vaccine uptake.
• This place-based approach effectively mitigated inequities in historically underserved communities.
• The strategy offers a transferable model for improving healthcare resource allocation in other care areas.