Federal data show that, as of January 19, 2021, over 12 million COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across the country. As vaccine distribution continues, ensuring racial equity will be important for mitigating the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on people of color, preventing widening health disparities, and achieving broad population immunity. Some states have centered equity as a key principle in their vaccine distribution plans. Across states, data to understand access to and uptake of the vaccine by race/ethnicity and other demographic factors will be central to efforts to ensure equity. These data are necessary to move past “color blind” policies that reinforce systematic racism and inform decisionmakers on how to develop culturally responsive interventions and direct resources to ensure equitable distribution and uptake of the vaccine. KFF is compiling and will regularly update state-reported data on vaccination by race/ethnicity through its COVID-19 state data and policy tracker.
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