3 years ago

Updated analysis of state-reported data as of February 1, 2021 on COVID-19 vaccinations, cases, and deaths by race/ethnicity is now available.

Based on nearly half of states reporting vaccination data by race/ethnicity, Black and Hispanic people continue to receive smaller shares of vaccinations compared to their shares of cases and deaths and compared to their proportions of the total population. In all 23 states reporting data, Black people account for a smaller share of vaccinations compared to their share of cases and smaller than (equal to in Vermont) their share of deaths. In 21 states reporting data on Hispanic people, the share of vaccinations among Hispanic people is smaller than their share of COVID-19 cases and also in their share of deaths with the exception of Missouri and Vermont.

Vaccination patterns may change as more data is available and more parts of the country gain greater access to vaccines. To date half of states are not yet reporting vaccinations by race/ethnicity. In 8 of the 23 reporting states, race/ethnicity is unknown for a quarter of vaccinations, including Texas and Virginia where over 40% of vaccinations have unknown race/ethnicity.

Beyond tracking data, KFF continues to produce analysis on racial equity in vaccination distribution and our news reporting at KHN also has shown that vaccination is lagging by various measures for people of color.