[Vaccination events] were planned on short notice, with few resources to help spread the word, and no way to reserve appointments for those who live here.
Vaccine events intended for underserved communities became destinations for those accustomed to getting their way, people who know whom to call and how to advocate for themselves. Nearby elders could drive up for their shot, but so could anyone else. They simply had to head west on Route 98.
[...]
[...]Black and Hispanic populations disproportionately affected by Covid-19 have been left behind in the vaccine rollout. In Palm Beach County, while Black people make up 18% of residents and Hispanic people 21.7%, these communities had
received just 4.1% and 4.7% of vaccines respectively, as of March 1.
[...]
[Minority] communities [...] were forgotten entirely in vaccine distribution. Gov. Ron DeSantis handed responsibility for vaccine appointments in the county to Publix supermarkets
in January, though the nearest store is more than 25 miles from [predominantely minority communities] Pahokee and Belle Glade. He denied the decision was tied to the chain’s recent $100,000 donation to the DeSantis campaign.