Spatio-temporal Disparities in the Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccinations in Texas counties

Keywords: Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine, Spatio-temporal analysis
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 09:40 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 11:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 46

Abstract

Vaccination is known as the most effective means to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection, along with masks and social distancing. After the Delta variant became the dominant variant in the U.S., vaccination rates increased, and it seems COVID-19 has been curtailed. Nevertheless, significant spatial disparities in vaccination rates still exist due to putative factors related to vaccine adoption on a local level. Furthermore, the temporal disparities in vaccination rates are placed in relation to factors such as matching supply and demand for vaccine, eligibility age, and COVID-19 variant type. This research addresses some of the underlying factors for the spatial and temporal disparities in the COVID-19 vaccination rates among the 254 counties in Texas over three time periods. The three-time periods were defined by their increasing pool of eligible population and the emergence of the Delta variant. Relevant factors were drawn from the cultural, political, demographic, public health, urban-rural, and socio-economic domains influencing the adoption of COVID-19 vaccines by the population in each county in Texas. The results of this ecological model support that Texas is inherently spatially heterogeneous with respect to vaccine acceptance and that the relevant factors are influential with a shifting pattern over time.