Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine in Centralized and Dispersed Distribution Scenarios

Living near vaccination sites can reduce transportation barriers to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. We examine how access in North Carolina varies among demographic groups based on residents’ geographic proximity to potential vaccination sites in centralized and dispersed distribution scenarios. We find American Indians have substantially less proximity-based access in both scenarios; non-Hispanic Whites, older adults, and adults with lower educational attainment also live farther than average from potential vaccination sites. However, access increases more for these groups in the dispersed vaccine distribution scenario. Findings suggest programs seeking to increase vaccine access should focus on reaching members of these demographic groups.