| | | | For immediate release:
February 8, 2021
Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System, 512-974-0699, hsempio@austintexas.gov APH Releases COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard | | | Austin, Texas – In continuing efforts to increase transparency and data for the public, Austin Public Health (APH) has released its sixth dashboard. The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard includes the total of APH-administered doses organized by priority age group, zip code, race/ethnicity, and the estimated 2019 Travis County population with the percentage of those 65 years of age and older for context.
This dashboard will be updated weekly. According to the American Community survey, Travis County has 129,645 people over the age of 65 composed of 68.2% White, 18% Hispanic, 7.6% African American, 5.1% Asian, and 3.9% two or more races. The data indicates that the proportions of COVID-19 vaccines administered by APH are consistent with the percentage of people age 65 years of age for individuals identifying as Asian, Hispanic, and White, but falls short for the those who identify as African American.
"Our mission has always been to reach and serve our most vulnerable populations. Based on the demographic data, we are encouraged by the results so far. But we remain deeply concerned that vaccine distribution is not reaching individuals who identify as Hispanic or African American, especially given the pandemic's disproportionate impact to these communities," said APH Director Stephanie Hayden-Howard. "We must expand current efforts to provide vaccines to more members of our Hispanic and African American communities, especially in areas where disease transmission is high."
Even though 18% of the vaccines administered by APH are to those who identify as Hispanic, that is not enough to counter the transmission levels among this population. Additionally, only 4% of African Americans in Travis County have received the vaccine from APH, despite making up 7.6% of the Travis County population aged 65 and older.
The City and County have implemented some strategies to address these concerns, that include: - Working with grassroots organizations on communicating the importance of receiving the vaccine.
- Partnering with Travis County to proactively call community members of vulnerable populations and register them in the system and, if appointments are available, schedule an appointment.
- Exploring options such as mobile vaccine clinics which could also administer the vaccine to homebound residents.
- Strategically identifying where communities are hardest hit to establish vaccine distribution sites.
- Partnering with CapMetro to offer transportation to vaccine appointments.
- Continuing PPE distributions with community organizations.
There are more than 150,000 people who qualify as 1A or 1B, and APH has only received 12,000 vaccines per week since Jan. 11.
"Our dashboard includes our population size and the amount of vaccine the department administers. For a community with over 1.3 million people and receiving 12,000 doses per week, we have a long way to go," said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "We simply do not have enough of the vaccine to give to everyone who needs and wants it. While we wait for supplies to increase, we need everyone to help slow the spread by practicing the 3 W's – Wear a face covering, Wash your hands, and Watch your distance."
Additional Dashboard Notes - There are over 350 COVID-19 vaccine providers in Travis County that have been approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The APH COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard is limited to data about the doses administered by APH.
- The allocation data shown on the dashboard is different than the current allocation received by APH. The data does not include vaccinations which were performed prior to the electronic registration process. This information is being manually entered by staff. As APH vaccine distribution fully transitions to using the technology available, the data will be more reflective of APH's our weekly allocation.
- The DSHS vaccine map shows the total amount of vaccines being providing in Travis County in addition to a link to the John Hopkins vaccine tracker.
- APH will continue making improvements to the dashboard as more information becomes available.
For the latest information and updates, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.
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