“Even from the beginning, the 77088 was high with COVID-19,” said Susie Molina, whose parents live in the Acres Homes zip code.
For nearly 52 years, Lydia Rodriguez and her husband were inseparable. Then COVID-19 hit.
Lydia contracted the virus and died.
“We just have to be thankful that my dad is okay,” Susie said. “We’ve heard so many stories that both family members died.”
The data shows that stories like Susie’s are too common.
The statistics on the number of vaccination rates by zip code of the Houston Department of Health are staggering.
On the map above, the orange areas, which largely comprise zip codes in northern, northeastern, and southeastern Houston, show only 1-4% penetration of vaccine rates.
Meanwhile, the black, arrow-shaped areas that stretch from downtown to the Memorial have much higher vaccination rates.
The area near the Medical Center has a vaccination rate of 35%, while Bellaire and West University Place are around 20%.
“I wish I could say I was surprised, but there is so much clear evidence that there are health disparities between zip codes,” said pediatrician Joyee Vachani, who lives in Bellaire. “It’s an issue related to access to health care, depending on your geographic location.”
Within Bellaire, about 21% of residents are vaccinated. This area not only benefits from the influx, but also from the large number of medical workers living in the community who had early access to the vaccine.
County Judge Lina Hidalgo says the data shows the first vaccine recipients were disproportionately white and Asian. She says some of this is due to the first vaccination of medical staff, but she also says disparities are a permanent concern.
“A percentage of the county’s vaccines go to community health centers that only served low-income residents. Some go to Harris health clinics, which also serve low-income neighborhoods,” Hidalgo said. “We’re working to build more places across the county, so it’s easier for people to go to the places.”
However, until the supply of vaccines increases dramatically, reaching these communities will continue to be a challenge.
Monitor the availability and progress of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout Houston
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