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Georgia Washington has lived in Southern Heights, a predominantly Black neighborhood in the northern part of Baton Rouge, La., since 1973. After falling ill with COVID-19 last year, Washington was eager to get vaccinated, which is in line with federal health recommendations. But Washington again had difficulty finding a local provider, this time to get a vaccine.
Georgia Washington, 79, can t drive. Whenever she needs to go somewhere, she asks her daughter or her friends to pick her up.
She has lived in the northern part of Baton Rouge, a predominantly Black area of Louisiana s capital, since 1973. There aren t many resources there, including medical facilities. So when Washington fell ill with COVID-19 last March, she had to get a ride 20 minutes south to get medical attention.
An NPR analysis of COVID-19 vaccination sites in major cities across the Southern U.S. reveals a racial disparity, with most sites located in whiter neighborhoods.
In Baton Rouge, Existing Health Care Disparities Make Vaccine Rollout More Uneven
As vaccine supply runs low across the country, snagging a shot in the arm is already hard for most people. An NPR analysis of vaccination sites around the country found that in cities like Baton Rouge, access is even more uneven. Of the 20 official sites providing vaccinations in early February, 15 are located in the southern part of the city, a predominantly white and affluent area. It s also where the vast majority of medical facilities are located.
Communities of color, who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, are now at risk of being left behind in the vaccine rollout.
Why La. is not implementing mass COVID-19 vaccinations yet
Why La. is waiting to implement mass vaccinations for COVID-19 By Matt Houston | January 13, 2021 at 4:20 PM CST - Updated January 13 at 9:18 PM
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Louisiana will not set up mass vaccination sites until more vaccine is available, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Tuesday (Jan. 12).
Some states, like California and Texas, are vaccinating thousands of people at drive-thru clinics outside major event centers and stadiums. Those states are not receiving extra doses to accommodate these sites.
Instead, they are choosing to divert vaccine from pharmacies and hospitals to stand up mass vaccination stations.