COVID-19 vaccine disparity among school ages in West Central Health District
Abstract
Background
COVID-19 hit the whole world from the end of 2019 and declared as pandemic between February 2020 and May 2023, disrupting healthcare systems. COVID-19 vaccines saved people, especially who were more susceptible to diseases, like population over 65 or school ages children. The study compared vaccine activities between race, ethnicity, age groups, gender, and geographic distribution among school ages during pandemic in West Central Health District.
methods
Data was extracted from state surveillance system (SENDSS) and Georgia immunity platform (Grits). RAND function was used to do random sampling from more than 20,000 population and a total of 10,000 people were selected to do analysis. Data analysis was done by Excel, Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and ArcGIS.
results
Total vaccine rate among school-aged was around 23%. Black, White and other account for 47.8%, 43.6% and 8.6% respectively, but vaccinated population were 55.8%, 37.7% and 6.5%; the ratio of female and male population is almost 1:1, but only 39.1% of male population were willing to get vaccinated; Teenagers were more willing to get vaccinated compared with young ages; Close to half of (47.8%) vaccinated population resides in Muscogee county, and the rest of 15 counties, which are rural areas, account for the rest of 53% of vaccinated population, however, over 60% of population reside in Muscogee, which is the only non-rural area in district.
conclusion
White and male population in West Central Health district were more hesitant about COVID-19 vaccines. Rural county residents were more willing to get vaccinated.
Keywords
COVID-19, pandemic, vaccine, school-aged, difference
COVID-19 vaccine disparity among school ages in West Central Health District
Background
COVID-19 hit the whole world from the end of 2019 and declared as pandemic between February 2020 and May 2023, disrupting healthcare systems. COVID-19 vaccines saved people, especially who were more susceptible to diseases, like population over 65 or school ages children. The study compared vaccine activities between race, ethnicity, age groups, gender, and geographic distribution among school ages during pandemic in West Central Health District.
methods
Data was extracted from state surveillance system (SENDSS) and Georgia immunity platform (Grits). RAND function was used to do random sampling from more than 20,000 population and a total of 10,000 people were selected to do analysis. Data analysis was done by Excel, Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and ArcGIS.
results
Total vaccine rate among school-aged was around 23%. Black, White and other account for 47.8%, 43.6% and 8.6% respectively, but vaccinated population were 55.8%, 37.7% and 6.5%; the ratio of female and male population is almost 1:1, but only 39.1% of male population were willing to get vaccinated; Teenagers were more willing to get vaccinated compared with young ages; Close to half of (47.8%) vaccinated population resides in Muscogee county, and the rest of 15 counties, which are rural areas, account for the rest of 53% of vaccinated population, however, over 60% of population reside in Muscogee, which is the only non-rural area in district.
conclusion
White and male population in West Central Health district were more hesitant about COVID-19 vaccines. Rural county residents were more willing to get vaccinated.
