Lack of equity within priority groups leaves Covid-19's most vulnerable without vaccine, analysis suggests

As demand for Covid-19 vaccines continues to outpace supply, there's still not sufficient supply to cover everyone within even the top priority groups. But by targeting vaccine distribution to more specific vulnerable populations, states could have the opportunity to save thousands of lives and prevent even more hospitalizations, according to a new analysis.

Around the United States, there are various plans in place to prioritize distribution of the limited supply of vaccines -- in December, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issued federal guidance about who should be first in line to receive the shots, starting with frontline health care workers and nursing home residents and staff, followed by other frontline essential workers and those age 75 and older. But the total number of doses delivered across the country -- more than 88 million -- is barely enough to cover individuals in those groups with one shot, let alone the required second dose.