Identifying COVID-19 Vaccine Deserts and Ways to Reduce Them: A Digital Tool to Support Public Health Decision-Making

Am J Public Health. 2023 Apr;113(4):363-367. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2022.307198. Epub 2023 Feb 2.

Abstract

A private-academic partnership built the Vaccine Equity Planner (VEP) to help decision-makers improve geographic access to COVID-19 vaccinations across the United States by identifying vaccine deserts and facilities that could fill those deserts. The VEP presented complex, updated data in an intuitive form during a rapidly changing pandemic situation. The persistence of vaccine deserts in every state as COVID-19 booster recommendations develop suggests that vaccine delivery can be improved. Underresourced public health systems benefit from tools providing real-time, accurate, actionable data. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(4):363-367. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307198).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines*
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Medical Assistance
  • Pandemics
  • Public Health

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines