Leveraging an Interprofessional Team to Address Vaccine Inequities: The Equivax Model

Abstract

Introduction: During the initial rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, significant disparities emerged in distribution, with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities experiencing higher rates of vaccine hesitancy, mistrust, and worse health outcomes compared to White Americans. To address these inequities in their local area, an interdisciplinary team developed Equivax, a volunteer-driven model for equitable vaccine distribution.

Report: Equivax employed a three-pronged approach: fostering reciprocal partnerships with the County Department of Public Health (CDPH), clinic host sites, and local community-based organizations (CBOs); optimizing clinic design and technology; and leveraging a pool of community volunteers. The model, adopted by the CDPH, utilized priority registration codes distributed through CBOs to ensure access for under-resourced communities, along with an efficient clinic planning checklist and streamlined seven-step clinic design that accommodated walk-ups and drive-throughs. Over a three-month period, 36 Equivax clinics administered over 106,000 vaccine doses, reaching a diverse population including 84% BIPOC, 61% uninsured or underinsured, and 31% non-English speakers at one representative clinic. This success demonstrates Equivax as an efficient and effective model for achieving vaccine equity by overcoming barriers such as technology access, language differences, and institutional distrust through community-centered partnerships and flexible operational strategies.

Conclusion: The Equivax model presents a scalable and adaptable framework with significant practical implications for future public health interventions and resource distribution. The Equivax volunteer team was eager to change the demographics of vaccinations and shares the model and tools with anyone who wishes to do the same.