Pandemic Darlings The pandemic economy, in original documents
Home Source documents VDH Plan for Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine (March 1, 2021)

VDH Plan for Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine (March 1, 2021)

Summary

The VDH Plan for Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine, dated March 1, 2021, a monthly report from the Office of Health Equity in the Virginia Department of Health under the supervision of the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and the Equity Leadership Task Force. The executive summary states that 217,426 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered at long-term care facilities and that 1,140,940 Virginians have received at least one dose. It reports lower vaccination rates for Black and Hispanic populations and rural counties, and compares Virginia with other states in Region 3 of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). An appendix reproduces the 2020 Appropriation Act Item 299 charging language.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Cite this document

“VDH Plan for Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine (March 1, 2021).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2021-rd124-75c2c7f488/, SHA-256 0e07256120e307bc7c17c212c31c349b33ed8e1820d1ecb5a3d3f57742c9d61c.

Full text

VDH Plan for
Equitable
Distribution
of COVID-19
Vaccine




MARCH 1, 2021

Office of Health Equity in the Virginia
Department of Health

Under the supervision of the
Commonwealth of Virginia’s Chief Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Officer
and the Equity Leadership Task Force
   Contents
   Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................2
   1. Key Equity Accomplishments ..................................................................................................4
   2. Vaccination Equity in Virginia ..................................................................................................5
       Elderly Vaccination .................................................................................................................... 5
       Race/Ethnicity ............................................................................................................................ 7
       Rural Areas ................................................................................................................................ 8
   3. Vaccinations in FEMA Region 3 ...............................................................................................9
       FEMA Region 3 and Race/Ethnicity ..........................................................................................10
       FEMA Region 3 and the Elderly ................................................................................................12
   4. Policy and Administrative Updates ........................................................................................12
       Legislative Updates...................................................................................................................12
       Executive Updates ....................................................................................................................14
       Agency Updates .......................................................................................................................15
       Court Updates...........................................................................................................................15
   5. Achieving Equitable Distributions of Vaccinations in Virginia ............................................16
   Appendix ......................................................................................................................................17
       Charging Statutes .....................................................................................................................17




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                                                                Page 1
   Executive Summary
   This monthly report is the first from the Office of Health Equity in the Virginia Department of Health
   under the supervision of the Governor’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and the
   Equity Leadership Task Force. It provides an overview of vaccination equity in the Commonwealth,
   including key equity accomplishments.

   COVID-19 infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths have disproportionately impacted
   individuals in long-term care facilities, the elderly, and Black and Hispanic populations.
   Additionally, individuals in rural communities are at higher risk for serious illness if they contract
   COVID-19 due to fewer hospitals, ICU units, and infectious disease physicians.

   In addition to reporting equity distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, this report also compares
   Virginia to other states in Region 3 of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
   namely Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. It also
   presents an overview of recent legislative and executive activities at both the federal and state
   levels, as well as equity considerations for future vaccine distribution.

   Summary key equity findings include:

      ●   Virginia is doing relatively well in vaccinating individuals in long-term care facilities
          and the elderly. At present, 217,426 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered at
          long-term care facilities (Source). Additionally, 1,140,940 Virginians have received at least
          one vaccine dose. Those age 60-69 (216,488) make up 19% of those receiving at least one
          dose, and those age 70+ (390,306) comprise 34.2% of those receiving at least one dose.

      ●   Black and Hispanic populations are receiving vaccinations at far lower rates than
          whites. This is particularly concerning because Blacks and Hispanics are
          disproportionately infected and die from COVID-19, but whites are disproportionately
          receiving vaccinations (Source).


                         % of total population         % of              % of COVID         % of COVID
                              in Virginia           Vaccinations           Cases              Deaths

            White                 61%                       72%              52%                63%

            Black                 19%                       12%              22%                24%

            Hispanic              10%                       6%               17%                 7%

           Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (Click here).




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                          Page 2
      ●   Rural counties have lower vaccination rates: More rural counties experience a higher
          risk due to COVID-19 (Source), yet rural counties have lower vaccination rates, per
          100,000 population (Source). Some of the challenges facing rural areas include limited
          supply based on population per capita, limited broadband access for a high technology
          driven enrollment process, and limited regional health care centers and vaccinators.

      ●   Within FEMA Region 3, Virginia is currently ranked third in terms of COVID-19
          vaccine doses administered. West Virginia and the District of Columbia rank higher than
          Virginia. Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania rank lower.

      ●   To address inequities in vaccinations in Virginia, vaccine allocations and vaccination
          strategies should be targeted at vulnerable populations. This includes prioritizing equity
          in mass vaccinations plans, community vaccination plans, and most importantly, including
          monitoring and accountability of vaccination equity outcomes.




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                 Page 3
   1. Key Equity Accomplishments
      ●   January 12: Virginia Department of Health Office of Health Equity and the Health Equity
          Task Force presented an equitable vaccine allocation/prioritization plan (Source)

      ●   January 29: Procured the Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) in the L. Douglas
          Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University to
          conduct equity research and develop community vaccination plans.

      ●   February: Added a statement to the VDH website which encourages all individuals to self-
          report race and ethnicity data when they register for a vaccine and on the day they are
          vaccinated (Source); added a statement encouraging providers to enter that data if it is
          missing (Source)

      ●   February: The Office of Health Equity shared the updated guidebook tailor-made for
          helping local health districts respond to COVID-19 equitably (Source)

      ●   February 16: Launched the Vaccinate.Virginia.gov website, a “one-stop-shop” allowing
          individuals to pre-register for a vaccine, verify their pre-registration status, and receive
          additional information about vaccination (Source)

      ●   February 17: Launched the Vaccinate Virginia Call Center (1-877-VAX-IN-VA) as a
          centralized pre-registration call center for those without internet access and for those who
          prefer to pre-register by phone. It is open seven days a week, is accessible to the hearing
          impaired, and is accessible in 100+ languages (Source)

      ●   February 19: Changed vaccination allocation strategy from a population-based/per capita
          strategy to a strategy prioritizing vulnerable populations with higher rates of hospitalizations
          and deaths (e.g. those in long-term care facilities, those in correctional facilities, and Black
          and Hispanic communities) (Source)

      ●   February 26: Over 14,000 inmates and 5,600 staff within the Virginia Department of
          Corrections have received a first round COVID-19 vaccination (Source)

      ●   February 26: Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth and Director of Black/African
          American Outreach, Office of Governor Ralph S. Northam, was named the Director of
          Vaccination Outreach and will be working with the community-based outreach for vaccine
          distribution across the Commonwealth

      ●   February 26: Governor Northam Introduces First-Ever Statewide Strategic Plan, One
          Virginia Online Toolkit, to Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Source)




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                       Page 4
   2. Vaccination Equity in Virginia
   Over 1.93 million vaccine doses have been administered in Virginia. At present, 14.8% of
   Virginians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Over 660,000 people have been fully
   vaccinated in Virginia, which represents 7.8% of the population (Source; Source).
   Elderly Vaccination
      ●   Of those Virginians receiving at least one dose (1,140,940), those age 60+ account for
          606,794, or roughly 53.2% of all those receiving at least one dose. Those age 60-69
          (216,488) make up roughly 19% of all those receiving at least one dose, and those age 70+
          (390,306) comprise roughly 34.2% of all those receiving at least one dose.

    Figure 1: Vaccinations by Age (One Dose + Two Doses)
    One Dose




    Two Doses




    Source: Click here.




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                Page 5
   Vaccinations in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) have been very successful, as these critical
   efforts continue (see Figure 2).
      ●   As context, there have been 29,881 COVID-19 cases in LTCFs (5% of all cases in Virginia)
          and 3,477 deaths (45% of all deaths in Virginia) (Source). Currently, 217,426 COVID-19
          vaccine doses have been administered (of 223,470 doses received) at long-term care
          facilities (LTCFs). Virginia has an estimated 19,550 nursing facility residents among roughly
          6.36 million adults (~0.31% of the adult population) (Source). Vaccine doses administered
          at LTCFs account for roughly 11% of all total doses administered (Source).
      ●   These efforts are part of a federal program, the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care
          Program, in which Virginia is enrolled (Source; Source; Source). CVS and Walgreens are
          providing vaccination clinics at LTCFs across the state (Source).
      ●   It is critical that LTCF residents and workers continue to receive the vaccine as these
          populations are particularly vulnerable (Source) and as this population represents 6.1% of
          the priority population as a share of total adults (Source).
      ●   Among those who reside in LTCFs, the vast majority (77.9%) are white (Source). These
          racial differences are due to several factors, including the high cost of LTCFs and
          differences in cultural norms regarding the use of LTCFs to care for the elderly (Source;
          Source). While LTCF vaccination rates are encouraging, they also underscore the need to
          prioritize vaccination efforts for Black and Hispanic elderly who do not reside in such
          settings.

    Figure 2: Vaccinations in Long-Term Care Facilities




    Source: Click here.



Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                     Page 6
   Race/Ethnicity
   Black and Hispanic populations are receiving vaccinations at far lower rates than whites in Virginia.
   As Table 1 depicts, while whites constitute 61% of Virginia’s population, they have received 72% of
   vaccinations. By comparison, Blacks constitute 19% of Virginia’s population and have received
   12% of vaccinations; Hispanics constitute 10% of Virginia population and have received 6% of
   vaccinations. This is particularly concerning because Black and Hispanics are disproportionately
   impacted by COVID-19, but whites are disproportionately receiving vaccinations. As Figure 3
   displays, white Virginians are being vaccinated at almost twice the rate of Black and Hispanic
   populations.

    Table 1: Race, COVID Cases and Deaths, and Vaccinations in Virginia

                  % of total population          % of              % of COVID          % of COVID
                       in Virginia            Vaccinations           Cases               Deaths

     White                  61%                    72%                 52%                 63%

     Black                  19%                    12%                 22%                 24%

     Hispanic               10%                      6%                17%                  7%
    Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (Click here).



    Figure 3: Vaccinations by Race (One Dose)
    One Dose




    Source: Click here.




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                    Page 7
   Rural Areas
   While Virginia has seen improvements in the urban-rural divide in terms of COVID-19 vaccinations,
   overwhelmingly, rural areas continue to experience equity issues in terms of access to vaccines
   (Figure 4). Many rural areas in Virginia have elevated risk (Figure 5). A number of challenges
   persist for vaccination efforts in Virginia's rural communities (Source):
      ●   Limited supply of vaccines as a result of the rate per population distribution process
      ●   Poor broadband access which impacts the heavily technology driven vaccination
          registration system
      ●   Limited regional healthcare centers which impact vaccine access and the number of
          vaccinators

    Figure 4: Vaccinations by Locality – Rate per 100,000 Population




    Source: Click here.


    Figure 5: COVID-19 Risk Levels by Local Level (Source)




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                 Page 8
    Source: Click here.


   3. Vaccinations in FEMA Region 3
   Virginia is a part of FEMA Region 3 which also includes Delaware, the District of Columbia,
   Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. As shown in Figure 6, Virginia has the second highest
   daily new cases in the region, at 22.7 new cases per 100,000 people. Virginia is currently ranked
   third in the region in terms of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered (Figure 7). West Virginia and
   the District of Columbia rank higher than Virginia; Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania rank
   lower. The neighboring state of North Carolina (not included in map below) also ranks lower than
   Virginia, although it is not a part of FEMA Region 3.

    Figure 6: COVID-19 Risk Levels* by County across FEMA Region 3




    Source: Click here.


Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                 Page 9
    Figure 7: FEMA Region 3 + North Carolina Vaccination Trends




    Source: Click here.



   FEMA Region 3 and Race/Ethnicity
   All areas in FEMA Region 3 show clear racial disparities in percentages of vaccines administered
   to populations versus those in the population, except for the District of Columbia. Overall, whites
   have received a disproportionately higher share of vaccinations, compared to Blacks, Hispanics,
   and Asians. Comparative state tracking of vaccines by race and ethnicity is challenging because
   not all vaccine providers record and report this data. (Source). Figure 8 is based on multiple
   sources of data, including each state’s and the District of Columbia’s COVID-19 vaccination
   dashboards; US Census data; and other demographics and vaccination data.




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                  Page 10
   Figure 8: Comparative Charts (Population and Vaccination Demographics)

    Delaware                                                     Washington, DC

     80.0%                                                        50.0%
     70.0%
                                                                  40.0%
     60.0%
     50.0%                                                        30.0%
     40.0%
     30.0%                                                        20.0%
     20.0%
                                                                  10.0%
     10.0%
      0.0%                                                         0.0%
               White      Black     Hispanic   Asian     Other             White      Black   Hispanic   Asian     Other   Unknown

                       Population          Vaccination                              Population             Vaccination


    Maryland                                                     Pennsylvania

     70.0%                                                        100.0%
     60.0%                                                         90.0%
                                                                   80.0%
     50.0%                                                         70.0%
     40.0%                                                         60.0%
                                                                   50.0%
     30.0%
                                                                   40.0%
     20.0%                                                         30.0%
     10.0%                                                         20.0%
                                                                   10.0%
      0.0%
                                                                    0.0%
               White      Black     Hispanic   Asian     Other
                                                                            White        Black Hispanic          Asian     Other
                       Population          Vaccination
                                                                                    Population             Vaccination


    Virginia                                                     West Virginia

     80.0%                                                        100.0%
     70.0%
                                                                   80.0%
     60.0%
     50.0%                                                         60.0%
     40.0%
     30.0%                                                         40.0%
     20.0%
                                                                   20.0%
     10.0%
      0.0%                                                          0.0%
                                                                            White     Black   Hispanic   Asian    Other Unknown
               White      Black Hispanic       Asian     Other
                                                                                    Population            Vaccination
                       Population         Vaccination




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                                         Page 11
   FEMA Region 3 and the Elderly
   As shown in Table 2, within FEMA Region 3, individuals age 60+ and 65+ have received roughly
   50%+ of vaccines. Comparisons across states are complicated given differences in publicly
   reported data (e.g., cumulative doses versus one dose versus two doses), age groupings (e.g.,
   listing ages 60-69 or ages 65-69), and numbers of persons outside of those age 65+ working in
   critical areas necessitating vaccination priority.

   Table 2: Comparison of Population and Vaccination Demographics, FEMA Region 3

                                                       District of                                    West
                            Virginia1   Delaware2                    Maryland1    Pennsylvania
                                                       Columbia                                      Virginia

       # Receiving at
       least one dose,        607K         116K          22.8K         442K            548K           238K
       Age 65+

       % of Persons
                             53.2%          55%          70.3%        49.2%             59%           54.4%
       Receiving Doses

       % of Age 65+ in
                             15.9%         19.4%         12.4%        15.9%            18.7%          20.5%
       Population
   1
    Publicly reports data for 60+. Figures reported in this table reflect persons age 60+.
   2
    State publicly reports cumulative doses only.
   Sources: US Census 2019 estimates and data portals for FEMA Region 3.


   4. Policy and Administrative Updates
   Legislative Updates
         ●   United States Congress
                o   President Biden has proposed a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package. It includes a
                    stimulus payment of $1,400 for single taxpayers or $2,800 for married joint filers,
                    plus $1,400 per dependent. Individuals earning up to $75,000 would receive the full
                    amount, as would married couples with incomes up to $150,000. It also includes
                    billions of dollars of funding for schools, state and local governments, and
                    businesses. Biden’s proposal is being considered by Congress, where it has been
                    approved in the U.S. House of Representatives.
         ●   Virginia General Assembly
              o During the 2021 regular and special sessions, the General Assembly passed several
             significant pieces of COVID-19 legislation, including emergency legislation aimed to speed
             up vaccine distribution efforts by widening the pool of those who are eligible to be
             vaccinated and adding vaccination sites. This legislation also requires the mandatory
             collection of race and ethnicity data for all individuals vaccinated. This bill has been signed



Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                        Page 12
          by Governor Northam. Other bills are currently being considered by the Governor, and,
          depending on the Governor’s actions, could be reconsidered during the Reconvened
          Session on April 7. A summary description of each COVID-related bill is below.
                 o Legislative bills passed by the Senate of Virginia and House of Delegates:
                        § Senate Bill 1445 and House Bill 2333 | Passed both houses with an
                        emergency clause; Governor signed and the bill became effective 2.15.21.
                        The bill requires the Department of Health (the Department) to establish a
                        program to enable eligible health care providers to volunteer to administer
                        the COVID-19 vaccine to residents of the Commonwealth during a state of
                        emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic declared by the Governor.
                        The bill defines "eligible health care provider" and provides that the program
                        shall include (i) a process by which an eligible health care provider may
                        register to participate in the program and (ii) the training requirements for
                        participating eligible health care providers related to the administration of the
                        COVID-19 vaccine, including training on the intramuscular injection of the
                        COVID-19 vaccine and contraindications and side effects of the COVID-19
                        vaccine. The bill also requires the collection of race and ethnicity data of
                        people receiving the vaccine.
                        § House Bill 2124 | Passed both houses; Governor’s action deadline 3.31.21
                        Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to, during a public
                        health emergency related to COVID-19 declared by the United States
                        Secretary of Health and Human Services, deem testing for, treatment of, and
                        vaccination against COVID-19 to be emergency services for which payment
                        may be made pursuant to federal law for certain aliens not lawfully admitted
                        for permanent residence.
                        § Senate Bill 1375 and House Bill 2207 | Conference Committee report
                        approved by both houses; Governor’s action deadline 3.31.21
                        Establishes a presumption that COVID-19 causing the death or disability of
                        firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law-enforcement
                        officers, and correctional officers is an occupational disease compensable
                        under the Workers' Compensation Act.
                        § Senate Bill 1296 | Passed both houses; Governor’s action deadline
                        3.31.21
                        Provides for the State Coordinator of Emergency Management to establish
                        an Emergency Management Equity Working Group to ensure that
                        emergency management programs and plans provide support to at-risk
                        individuals and populations disproportionately impacted by disasters.
                        § House Bill 1985 | Conference Committee report passed both houses;
                        Governor’s action deadline 3.31.21




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                    Page 13
                         Establishes a presumption that COVID-19 causing the death or disability of
                         health care providers is an occupational disease compensable under the
                         Workers' Compensation Act.
                         § House Bill 1993 | Passed both houses; Governor’s action deadline 3.31.21
                         Requires state agencies to establish and maintain a comprehensive
                         diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan in coordination with the
                         Governor's Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
                         § Virginia Budgetary Actions
                         Both chambers are anticipating federal aid from a $900 billion relief package
                         Congress adopted in December to replace or augment state funds that
                         Governor Northam had proposed to cover the costs of COVID 19 vaccine
                         distributing, continue testing for the coronavirus disease and track people
                         exposed to it, as well as other responses to the pandemic. The Virginia State
                         Budget passed both bodies of General Assembly on February 27, 2022.

   Executive Updates
      ●   President Biden has proposed a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package. Biden’s proposal is
          being considered by Congress, where it has been approved in the U.S. House of
          Representatives.
      ●   President Biden has signed the following executive orders that have direct impact on the
          Commonwealth of Virginia.
             o   Executive Order on a Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain; Executive Order on
                 Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19
                     ▪   State governors will receive 16% more vaccines weekly.
                     ▪   The US will increase the total vaccine order by 50% from 400 million to 600
                         million.
                     ▪   FEMA will create federally supported community vaccination centers.
                     ▪   Create the COVID 19 Health Equity Task Force to ensure equitable
                         pandemic response and recovery.
             o   Executive Order on Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
                     ▪   Reducing barriers for access to government supportive programs for
                         individuals, families, small business; state, local, tribal, and territorial
                         governments.
             o   Executive Order on Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for
                 COVID-19
                     ▪   Improve the capacity of the Nation’s healthcare system to address
                         coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to accelerate the development of




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                      Page 14
                        novel therapies to treat COVID-19 and to improve all American’s access to
                        quality and affordable healthcare.
             o   Executive Order on Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery
                    ▪   Creation of a COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force within the Department of
                        Health and Human Services (HHS).
             o   Executive Order on Ensuring a Data-Driven Response to COVID-19 and Future
                 High-Consequence Public Health Threats
                    ▪   All executive departments and agencies shall facilitate the gathering,
                        sharing, and publication of COVID-19 related data, in coordination with the
                        Coordinator of the COVID-19 Response and Counselor to the President.
             o   Executive Order on Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government To
                 Provide a Unified and Effective Response To Combat COVID-19 and To Provide
                 United States Leadership on Global Health and Security
      ●   Governor Northam has signed the following executive orders regarding COVID 19 for
          Commonwealth of Virginia.
             o   Extend COVID 19 related restrictions to last through the end of February. These
                 include modified stay at home order; universal mask requirements; reduction in
                 social gatherings; continued limitations for dining establishments and teleworking.
             o   Governor Northam has implemented the following processes regarding COVID 19
                 for Commonwealth of Virginia. Elimination of the second dose withholding and
                 instead is asking all hospitals holding second doses to instead use them as first
                 does vaccines.
      ●   The Governor included language in his budget to support expected COVID-19 vaccine
          expenditures through June 2022. The budget passed both bodies of General Assembly.

   Agency Updates
      ●   Governor Northam has made the following changes to VDH processes regarding COVID
          19 for Commonwealth of Virginia.
             o   Health districts are asked to split vaccine doses equally between people 65 and
                 older and front-line healthcare workers and those with increased risk of serious
                 illness.
             o   Vaccines to be allocated by population.
             o   Updating the VDH data dashboard to provide more descriptive data regarding those
                 who have been vaccinated.
      ●   Governor Northam had VDH develop a state-wide pre-registration website and COVID-19
          call center (Source).

   Court Updates
      ●   None


Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                  Page 15
   5. Achieving Equitable Distributions of Vaccinations in Virginia
   Increasing equity in vaccinations throughout Virginia, particularly among Black and Hispanic
   individuals, necessitates continued development, implementation, and monitoring of efforts
   targeted at vulnerable populations. This includes prioritizing equity in Virginia’s state vaccination
   allocation strategy, as well as in mass vaccinations planning, private sector vaccination partners,
   community vaccination plans, and most importantly, in tracking equity in vaccination equity
   outcomes.
   Further, FEMA’s Office of Equal Rights has reminded all government agencies and their partners
   of the need “to collect and, when requested, submit demographic data to ensure compliance with
   civil rights laws,” including best practices like: 1) including “the geographic distribution of
   individuals by race, color, and national origin, limited English proficiency, age, and disability status;
   and can include additional data sets regarding the reliance of communities on public transit, the
   proximity of different groups to emergency or disaster danger zones, and the geographic
   distribution of damage;” 2) considering multiple data sources, such as consulting other states’
   vaccine monitoring dashboards as well as Census Bureau information; and including that states
   should 3) “actively engage in information collection and sharing with community organizations,
   nonprofits, advocacy groups, and local community leaders, to determine what populations are
   affected. Use data collected through these efforts, including anecdotal and qualitative data, to
   formulate recovery and mitigation plans, make changes to address gaps in services and barriers,
   and to ensure that plans do not disproportionately exclude or negatively affect populations in
   violation of federal civil rights laws.” (Source). Further, all such efforts should correspond with
   practices laid out in the checklist provided by FEMA’s Office of Equal Rights (Source).
   Importantly, vaccination hesitancy is decreasing nationally, with 71% of Virginians expressing
   willingness to get the vaccine (Source). To achieve equity in vaccinations, factors to consider
   include language accessibility, location of vaccination sites relative to Black and Brown
   communities, providing transportation to vaccination sites, and providing in-home vaccinations to
   the home-bound. Early indicators suggest some localities in Virginia, such as Chesapeake and
   Danville, are prioritizing vaccination equity through active engagement of community leaders and
   resources to assist with vaccination registration and access, general vaccination education, and
   vaccination planning and implementation. The success of these initiatives more broadly is
   dependent upon active support and community collaboration from key Virginia agencies, such as
   the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
   (VDEM).




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                       Page 16
   Appendix
   Charging Statutes
   2020 Appropriation Act Item 299 I. The Department of Health shall convene a work group, which
   shall include the Commonwealth's Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and
   representatives of the Office of Health Equity of the Department of Health, the Department of
   Emergency Management, and such other stakeholders as the department shall deem appropriate
   and which may be an existing work group or other entity previously convened for a related
   purpose, to (i) evaluate the methods by which vaccines and other medications necessary to treat
   or prevent the spread of COVID-19 are made available to the public; (ii) identify and develop a plan
   to implement specific actions necessary to ensure such vaccines and other medications are
   equitably distributed in the Commonwealth to ensure all residents of the Commonwealth are able
   to access such vaccines and other medications; (iii) make recommendations for any statutory,
   regulatory, or budgetary actions necessary to implement such a plan.), including: a) Statutes
   Regarding Plans; b) regulatory changes; c) budgetary changes; d) changes needed to the any
   Virginia vaccination plan.




Vaccine Equity Report | March 2021                                                                 Page 17


File and source

File
2021-RD124.pdf
Size
1,982,380 bytes
SHA-256
0e07256120e307bc7c17c212c31c349b33ed8e1820d1ecb5a3d3f57742c9d61c
Our copy
2021-RD124.pdf
Original
No public link identified.
Back to top