The Covid-19 Vaccination and Equity

Covid Pandemic

Covid-19, an infectious disease that was first identified in Wuhan, China, quickly began spreading worldwide early in 2020. In March 2020, it was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Across the globe, researchers worked tirelessly to develop vaccines that would provide immunity against the disease.

Development and Dissemination of a Vaccine for Covid-19

In December 2020, several countries including the U.S. approved the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use. Manufacturing the vaccine takes time and the first shipments of the vaccine will be limited. States will have to prioritize who should receive the vaccine first and then in what order. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities should be the first to receive the vaccine.

About the Lesson Plan

This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn more about the Covid-19 vaccination rollout, understand the racial and other disparities in Covid-19 cases and outcomes, and explore the concepts of equity and equality as they relate to prioritizing vaccination.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will learn more about the Covid-19 vaccinations and plan for dissemination.
• Students will reflect on the racial and other disparities for Covid-19 cases and outcomes and how that should impact the prioritization of vaccinations.
• Students will consider the difference between the concepts of equity and equality and apply that understanding to analyze how the vaccinations should be prioritized and disseminated.