CDC report shows rural-urban coronavirus vaccination gap

A report today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows how much lower coronavirus vaccination rates were in rural counties than in urban ones through early April. The disparities crossed gender and age groups, and went hand-in-hand with increased rural infection rates. In September, the report notes, coronavirus incidence in rural counties surpassed urban counties.

Through April 10, 38.9 percent of people in non-metropolitan counties had received a first dose of vaccine, compared to 45.7% in metro counties. Non-metro counties saw 29% coverage among adults 18-64, compared to 38% in urban counties. Gender disparities persisted as well: 41.7% of rural women were covered, compared to 48.4% of urban women. Men, especially in rural areas, were some of the least likely to be vaccinated, with 35.3% of rural men covered compared to 41.9% of urban men.

Some very rural residents had to travel to another county for a shot; 14.6% of the residents in the most rural counties reported traveling to a nonadjacent county, compared to 10.3% of the most urban counties and 13.9% of suburban residents. Overall, 67.1% of vaccinated people got a jab in their county of residence, and 98.3% got it in their state of residence.

The lower vaccination rates are concerning because rural residents are at a higher risk of suffering poor outcomes, including death, from Covid-19, says the report. It acknowledges the problems rural residents often face in seeking medical care, such as lack of transportation, and recommends that public-health practitioners collaborate with health-care providers, pharmacies, employers, faith leaders, and other community partners to identify and address barriers to vaccination in rural areas. A persistent rural vaccination gap could prolong the pandemic, says the report.