Equity in Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination

Some children are at greater risk for COVID-19 and may face additional barriers in getting vaccinated, including:

• Children who are unable to visit a pediatrician often ─ such as those who are experiencing homelessness or those who live in rural areas.
• Children who have historical disadvantages when it comes to health ─ such as those in racial and ethnic minority groups or households with lower incomes.
• Children with developmental disabilities ─ such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, or an intellectual disability.
• Children who have special healthcare needs ─ such as lung, heart, or kidney disease, an immune system problem, malignancy, diabetes, some blood diseases, or conditions of the muscular or central nervous system.
• Children living in congregate settings ─ such as those who are incarcerated or detained or those who live in group homes.
• Children who are non-English speakers, immigrants, or with undocumented status.

Qualitative data from schools and organizations serving K-12 students emphasize the importance of creating communication for the group meant to receive it.

All public health professionals and partners at the federal, state, and local levels are encouraged to:

• Use a health equity lens when framing information about health disparities.
• Consider key health communications principles, such as using person-first language (e.g., “a person with diabetes” instead of “a diabetic”) and avoiding unintentional blaming.
• Use preferred terms for select population groups and communities while recognizing that there isn’t always an agreement on these terms.
• Consider how communications, messages, and products are developed ─ looking for ways to improve health equity and inclusivity.

• Pediatricians are often the ones who vaccinate children, and many do this through the federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. However, pediatricians are not the only providers who can vaccinate and boost children.
• In many areas, pharmacies and community clinics—such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health clinics, and community health centers—also administer vaccines and boosters to children, and some of these are also VFC providers.​
• Many schools and school districts partner with health departments, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers to hold School Located Vaccine Clinics (SLVs) to vaccinate children and families of school children who may not otherwise have access.
• Community organizations, including faith-based organizations, can serve as an informational resource to help families find community-based vaccination sites.