April 28, 2021
As COVID-19 vaccine administration continues throughout North Carolina, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy alumnus Robb Malone, Pharm.D., is working to ensure vaccines are equally accessible to all.
In an effort to do so, Malone, Chief Operating Officer at UNC Health Alliance, along with Crystal Wiley Cené, MD, MPH System Executive Director for Health Equity, UNC Health, launched the COVID Vaccination for Equity Re-imagined for NC (COVER NC) program in January to promote equitable vaccination opportunities.
“COVID-19 is taking a toll on health care organizations and patients alike,” Malone said. “COVID morbidity and mortality is the highest among vulnerable and historically marginalized people. In direct response to this dilemma, UNC Health launched COVER-NC. Through COVER, we aim to create equity in opportunity for vaccination among those in rural, minoritized, and marginalized communities while delivering all first doses during individuals’ corresponding vaccine week. Being both fast in vaccine delivery and fair with access.”
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), as of March 19, 20.4 percent of the total population in North Carolina had been at least partially vaccinated. Of those partially vaccinated, 74.3 percent were White; 16.7 percent Black; 2.9 percent Asian or Pacific Islander; and .8 percent American Indian or Alaskan Native.
Across UNC Health and through COVER NC, the team plans to lead an equitable population health response to COVID-19 vaccination for both doses and ensure vaccination processes are reliable, efficient, and offered in a manner that proactively addresses inequities for those in marginalized communities (rural, impoverished, under-represented racial/ethnic groups).
Additional COVER NC goals include developing and delivering a safe and comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination program to those in North Carolina, and identifying decisions and actions needed to drive implementation planning for equity of the COVID-19 vaccination program across UNC Health and community partners.
To achieve these goals, Malone said the UNC Health team has changed the ways it offers vaccine appointments by offering numerous modes of scheduling; engaging with community leaders and organizations to deliver solutions that marginalized communities want and need; and providing a variety of vaccine access strategies to overcome barriers often faced by marginalized groups and individuals in those communities.
Since January, Malone said UNC Health has established 15 vaccination hubs across the state. Through COVER NC other complimentary initiatives have been developed as well. Most recently dispatching a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic to be able to get into underserved communities. In total, UNC Health has delivered almost 250,000 doses and immunized more than 100,000 people, and minimized or avoided vaccine waste. But he reiterates there is still much work to be done to close the equity gap, especially in creating equity by ethnicity.
“The pandemic has placed a spotlight on both COVID and other long-standing issues to the extent that can no longer be ignored,” Malone said. “UNC aims to create equity in opportunity for vaccination and hope that translates into equitable uptake of vaccination among those in rural, minoritized, and marginalized communities.”
Malone said he is hopeful community-driven initiatives like COVER NC will continue post-pandemic.
“I am particularly proud of our investment in communities and the leaders who pulled this off to make it all happen,” Malone said. “The leaders who organize, the staff that volunteer their time, and the community leaders that open their arms to us are truly inspiring. I honestly hope that community-based, grassroots efforts like this don’t go away after the pandemic is over. There is so much that can be done in the community to improve the health of many.”
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