In his latest column for the Healthcare Journal of Arkansas, ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson discusses the importance of ensuring racial equity in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Thompson cites polling data showing greater vaccine hesitancy among African Americans than among white individuals; looks at early data on vaccinations by racial group in other states; identifies some historic events that have fostered distrust of public health in the African American community; and suggests ways to improve equity in vaccination efforts.
At the time the column was submitted, the Arkansas Department of Health had not publicly reported data on vaccines administered in Arkansas by racial group, but the agency is now posting that information on its COVID-19 dashboard.
Find more information about the pandemic on our COVID-19 in Arkansas page.
