Worcester Has Racial, Health Gap In Vaccine Rollout: Task Force

WORCESTER, MA — The coronavirus vaccine rollout so far in Worcester has favored older, white residents who live outside the neighborhoods that have been hit the hardest by the virus during the pandemic, according to a new analysis.

The Worcester COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, a partnership between UMass Memorial and the city's health department, on Tuesday presented data about the vaccine rollout so far to the City Council.

Jeanne Shirshac, the UMass Memorial vice president of health policy, said about 17 percent of Worcester residents have been vaccinated. About 59 percent of people vaccinated are over 65, even though only 13 percent of total city residents are either that age or older.

Of the total share of all people who have been vaccinated, including younger groups, there's a racial and geographic disparity, Shirshac demonstrated using state Department of Public Health data.

White people make up 48 percent of Worcester and 21 percent have been vaccinated. Hispanic residents comprise 27 percent of the city and 6 percent have been vaccinated; and Black residents are 15 percent of the city and 11 percent have been vaccinated.

The geographic disparity is more stark. Shirshac the Councilors a map highlighting neighborhoods with the highest vaccination rates. Neighborhoods on the city's outskirts were green, indicating high vaccination rates. Central neighborhoods like Main South, Union Hill, Vernon Hill and Bell Hill were all red, indicating very low vaccination rates. Those central neighborhoods are also the ones with the highest rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, Shirshac said.

"What this shouts out is that the vaccines are not getting to the neighborhoods with the greatest need, with the greatest amount of COVID-19," Shirshac said. "We need to look to more targeted vaccine approaches."

Monica Lowell, UMass Memorial's vice president of community relations, said the task force has been identifying ways to get vaccines into more vulnerable areas by partnering with community leaders and hosting mobile vaccine clinics. Worcester has, for example, held clinics at public housing sites in recent weeks. UMass also recently opened its Mercantile Center vaccine hub to the public with about 40 percent of vaccination appointments up for grabs.

The senior center, located in the middle of Vernon Hill, has been one of Worcester's main vaccine hubs. City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. said the center could be used for future vaccination clinics, complementing the larger site at Worcester State University.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday detailed the rest of the vaccine rollout, which may help improve vaccination rates. Starting March 22, many frontline workers will be eligible, and all state residents will be eligible beginning April 19.