Hi there!
This week we’re taking a look at how the Suffolk county vaccine rollout is missing communities of color.
What’s Happening?
An analysis found Black and Hispanic Suffolk county residents are significantly less likely to live within accessible distance of a vaccination site.
46% of White residents live in close proximity to a vaccination site, compare to only 26% of Latinos and 14% of Black residents.
Why Does It matter?
Encompassing Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Suffolk county is one of MA’s most diverse and populated counties.
As COVID has disproportionately impacted communities of color, not placing vaccination sites in the hardest hit neighborhood is a failure of governance. Whether malicious or accidental, the skewed locations of vaccination sites prioritizes the health and safety of white Bostonians over Bostonians of color.
The virus acts randomly, but our leaders act purposely.