Does <scp>COVID</scp> ‐19 Affect Migrants and Natives Similarly? An Investigation Into Health and Employment Impacts

ABSTRACT The COVID‐19 pandemic raised critical questions about whether migrants in Chinese cities receive equitable treatment compared to urban natives. Using micro‐survey data, this study examines vaccine availability and job stability for “rural‐to‐urban” and “urban‐to‐urban” migrants during the pandemic. We find that migrants had comparable access to vaccines as natives, with older and less educated migrants prioritized, reflecting policies targeting vulnerable groups. However, “rural‐to‐urban” migrants experienced significantly greater job stability disruptions than natives and “urban‐to‐urban” migrants, primarily due to weaker social networks. These findings highlight the need for targeted employment protection programs to support vulnerable migrant populations and their families during public health crises.