Interactive, on-line visualization tools to measure and drive equity in COVID-19 vaccine administrations

J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2021 Oct 12;28(11):2451-2455. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocab180.

Abstract

Equitable distribution of vaccines is necessary to ensure those at highest risk of illness are protected from COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Unfortunately, there is significant evidence that vaccines have not been reaching the most vulnerable. At our large hospital system, we created interactive online tools to measure and visualize equitability of vaccine administrations and to help stakeholders identify populations at highest risk within state-designated eligible vaccine groups. Using race, ethnicity, gender, and social vulnerability, we are able to measure and reflect our vaccine administration performance against the communities that we serve. With our visualization tools, stakeholders have been able to target interventions to improve equity in vaccine administrations, including improvements in race, ethnicity, and social vulnerability. We plan to use the data elements incorporated in our electronic health record and data warehouse due to the COVID-19 pandemic to guide further population health efforts at decreasing disparities.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; dashboard; equity; visualization.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Vaccines