More than 153 million people in the United States are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While this is laudable progress, much work remains to be done to ensure every American gets equitable access to this vital resources. Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows the extent of the disparity: Across 41 states, 44 percent of white people have gotten at least one dose, while only 31 percent of Black people and 35 percent of Hispanic people can say the same as of early June.

Attributing these disproportionate rates to “vaccine hesitancy,” as many commentators have done, sidesteps a confrontation the country must have with the barriers to vaccine access among communities of color and people living in low-income and rural areas.

If we close the gaps that have created such stark health disparities, we can end the pandemic, fully reopen the economy, and allow the country to rebuild on an even stronger, more equitable foundation. Community-based organizations—groups that have established long-term relationships with their neighbors and solidified their trust during the pandemic—are essential to achieving these goals.

Our organizations, CORE and Partners In Health (PIH), have worked with community-based organizations, governments, and others on equity-focused vaccination operations in the United States and around the globe. We published a free manual with our insights into the process. As governments and community-based organizations continue to roll out vaccinations, we recommend they account for five strategic concerns to ensure they help marginalized and underserved individuals: geography, partnerships, language, schedules, and technology.

As the struggle with COVID-19 continues, it’s crucial that governments and public health organizations in the United States remove barriers to vaccination access and center equity into every step of the process. They can start by examining how well they're performing in the five strategic areas we described above, which are explored in more detail in our guide. If they fail to do so, COVID-19 will continue to devastate some of the most vulnerable communities around the world, and an opportunity to make them even stronger for future crises will be wasted.

Read the full article about ensuring equitable vaccine access by Ann Lee and Sheila Davis at Stanford Social Innovation Review.