The comparatively lower COVID-19 vaccination rates in low-income and predominantly Black or Hispanic communities such as Brownsville and East New York are emblematic of broader racial and economic disparities in access to health care in the United States. Vaccinations lag behind the city average, while mortality rates are higher. East New York, for example, includes the ZIP code with the highest COVID-19 mortality rate in New York City.
"As an FQHC, BMS's mission is to provide high-quality, affordable, health care for medically underserved communities," said Dr. Camille Taylor-Mullings, Chief Medical Officer, BMS Family Health and Wellness Centers. "Many area residents and patients were disproportionately affected by the pandemic and we are excited to have the opportunity to provide added COVID-19 services for our community through the launch of the BMS@St. Paul Community Baptist Church Vaccine Hub. Without the assistance and partnership of MSF and the partnership with Reverend Brawley and St. Paul's, this would not have been possible. This collaboration of supportive relationships is the hallmark of our collective organizations' commitment to community health."
People in Brownsville and East New York face substantial barriers to obtaining COVID-19 vaccinations. Many are unable to take time off from work or family responsibilities to attend medical appointments. Transportation time and costs pose additional challenges, especially if vaccination sites are distant. Scheduling vaccinations online is also more difficult due to limited internet connectivity, and language barriers present obstacles in scheduling appointments or obtaining information about vaccines.
Vaccines that require two doses may also increase the burden, underlining the importance of making the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine available as an option in areas where poverty or geographic isolation make it more difficult for individuals to reach appointments. For example, MSF is involved in an effort in Puerto Rico to provide the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to 6,000 people who have not otherwise had access to COVID-19 vaccinations, decreasing the time it takes for people to become fully vaccinated.
"Now that vaccines are more widely available in the U.S., the social inequities in health care can be seen in the vaccination rates of underserved communities," Dierberg said. "Reducing the barriers to COVID-19 vaccination is as essential as the vaccines themselves—vaccines only work when people can access them. In Brownsville and East New York, the capacity for vaccination is increasing, but now more efforts and investments are needed to ensure people will effectively reach the site and get vaccinated."
MSF's support for BMS:
BMS requested support from MSF to coordinate its COVID-19 vaccination activities and launch a new vaccination site, after MSF previously supported the organization in running a COVID-19 testing site during the first wave of the pandemic. In recent weeks, MSF provided administrative and logistical support to increase COVID-19 vaccinations at three BMS clinics by mobilizing volunteers and hiring administrative staff. To set up the new site at St. Paul Community Baptist Church, MSF supported aspects of planning, budget development, human resources, training, procurement, and the establishment of a "cold chain" for the storage of vaccines. MSF staff are not administering the vaccines to patients, which is done by BMS and other contracted partners.
