Distribution of Vaccinations by Race/Ethnicity
Figure 2 shows the shares of COVID-19 vaccinations, cases, and deaths among Black, Hispanic, Asian, and White people. The data also show the distribution of the total population by these groups as of 2019. Data are not presented for other groups due to data limitations. Together these data show:Black people have received smaller shares of vaccinations compared to their shares of cases and the total population in more than half of states reporting data. In the remaining reporting states, the share of vaccinations they have received is similar to their shares of cases and the total population. In most reporting states, the share of vaccinations received by Black people is smaller than their share of deaths. For example, in the District of Columbia, Black people have received 44% of vaccinations, while they make up 56% of cases, 71% of deaths, and 46% of the total population.
Reflecting disproportionate levels of infection, Hispanic people have received smaller shares of vaccinations compared to their shares of cases in most reporting states. Their share of vaccinations is similar or higher than their shares of deaths in most reporting states. However, in some states it remains lower. For example, in California, 31% of vaccinations have gone to Hispanic people, while they account for 61% of cases, 47% of deaths, and 40% of the total population in the state.
These current patterns reflect growing shares of vaccinations going to Hispanic and Black people over time. Between March 1 and September 7, the share of vaccinations going to Hispanic people increased in all states reporting data for both periods and increased for Black people in most reporting states. In a few cases, these increases were large. For example, the share of vaccinations going to Black people increased from 26% to 44% in DC and from 25% to 38% in Mississippi. Similarly, the share of vaccinations going to Hispanic people increased by at least 10 percentage points in six states, including Florida (17% to 32%), Nevada (13% to 27%), California (19% to 31%), Texas (23% to 35%), New Jersey (6% to 18%), and New York (9% to 21%). The share of vaccinations going to Asian people also increased in most states reporting data for both periods, while it fell for White people in most reporting states. The share going to White people declined by 10 percentage points or more in 15 states (Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, Mississippi, Texas, Maine, Illinois, Colorado, New York, and Indiana).
In nearly all reporting states, the share of vaccinations among Asian people was similar to or higher than their shares of cases, deaths, and total population. For example, in Hawaii, 52% of vaccinations have been received by Asian people, which is higher than their share of the total population (40%) and their shares of cases and deaths (both at 44%).
White people received a higher share of vaccinations compared to their share of cases in most states reporting data. In about half of reporting states they received a similar or higher share of vaccinations compared to their shares of deaths and total population, while in other states it was lower. For example, in Colorado, 76% of vaccinations were received by White people, while they make up 68% of the population. In Tennessee, 65% of vaccinations have been received by White people, which is lower than their share of cases (71%), deaths (78%), and their share of the population (77%).
Latest Data on COVID-19 Vaccinations by Race/Ethnicity | KFF
KFF is collecting and analyzing data on COVID-19 vaccinations by race/ethnicity to gain increased insight who is receiving the vaccine and whether some groups are facing disparities in vaccination.
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