The Civil Rights Office of the Ministry of Health and Human Services recommended on Wednesday that COVID-19 vaccine suppliers need to take more measures to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines consult.

OCR recommends that vaccine suppliers maintain accurate data collection, cooperate with community organizations, and strategically locate vaccination sites to ensure a fair distribution of vaccines. Providers should review policies to ensure that they promote equal access. Instructions on how to make an appointment and information about vaccine availability should be clear and written in the appropriate language for community providers to try to contact.

data OCR recommends that this is another important part of vaccine equity, and providers should track demographic data about who has been vaccinated to track access. Providers should consider categorizing data on race and ethnic minorities, especially Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

OCR says that community-based organizations, such as faith groups and citizen associations, can help providers design culturally competitive vaccine exchanges, including frequently asked questions. Targeted advocacy for people with low Internet access and people in immigrant communities is particularly important. Contacts with immigrant communities should emphasize that immigration authorities generally do not carry out law enforcement operations in or near medical institutions.

In addition, placing vaccination sites directly within communities of people of color also helps to make vaccine distribution more equitable. Suppliers can even cooperate with property managers and senior living facilities to bring vaccine clinics into residential development projects.

OCR issued guidelines after President Joe Biden The latest mitigation plan For the COVID-19 omicron variant, it requires all Americans to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive booster shots if eligible. Approximately 62% of Americans are currently vaccinated, and approximately 31% of fully vaccinated people have received boosters.

“If you are not fully vaccinated, you have good reason to worry. Your risk of getting sick is high,” Biden said on Tuesday.

The vaccination rate and boost rate of blacks and Latino people still lag behind that of whites, but the gap between the first dose has narrowed since the vaccine was introduced, according to Caesars Family FoundationSince March 2021, 51% of black Americans and 56% of Hispanics have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, compared with 58% of white Americans. 77% of Asian Americans received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Since then, vaccine fairness has been an issue Even before the shooting was authorized last year.Hospitals, state agencies and other providers have been committed to Build community partnerships And improve access.The federal government has issued Billions U.S. dollar grants to state and community organizations to promote equitable vaccine distribution.

The history of discrimination has exacerbated health disparities and Limited access to care, Which in turn caused the virus to cause disproportionate losses to black, Native American, Latino, and Asian and Pacific Islander communities. OCR said that research also shows that black and Latino people are more likely to delay or refuse vaccination because they have a history of discrimination and related medical distrust, as well as more exposure to misinformation and concerns about side effects.

OCR reminds providers that state or local health care authorities may not legally formulate policies to allow priority access to vaccines based on race, color, or national origin without legal non-discriminatory reasons.

OCR says this also applies to vaccination methods. Regardless of the intent of the policy, strict requirements for online booking of vaccines may restrict access. According to OCR’s guidance, discrimination in black communities may also look like longer waiting times or worse delivery facilities compared to white communities. According to the law, suppliers must also provide all customers with information about non-discrimination laws and how to file a discrimination complaint.