BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The vaccine rollout in Massachusetts has received a negative assessment from some local advocates, when it comes to equity.
The 'Vaccine Equity Now!' coalition has given the administration a C for 'community collaboration', followed by two D's for 'implementation' and for 'recognizing how racial inequality has impacted the rollout.' Lastly, 'accountability' got an F, with the coalition claiming the administration failed to collect required information to identify impacted demographics.
The coalition hopes the report card will lead to more engagement with community leaders.
Around 94% of the Massachusetts population over the age of five has received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, and 82% of those over five are considered fully vaccinated, according to state data.
However, comparing different racial demographics statewide, 97.9% of Asian residents have received at least one dose, 86.6% of Hispanic/Latino residents have received at least one dose, 86.4% of White residents have received at least one dose, 82.6% of Black residents have received at least one dose, and 65% of American Indian/Alaskan Native residents have received at least one dose. The chart lists both residents indicating Multiple Races (197,063 people) and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (3,286 people) as being 100% vaccinated with at least one dose.
Vaccinations by age group remain highly varied, with younger residents less likely to have recieved the shots. The state dashboard has no data on residents under the age of five, but the five to eleven age group remains 58.1% vaccinated with at least one dose, as compared to 100% of residents 50-56, 65-74, and 75+.
WBZ's James Rojas asked folks on the street how they would grade the rollout of shots here in Massachusetts, and has more on the story:
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App