How the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) Provides Insights into Vaccination Coverage Inequities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have developed the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to assess and quantify the social needs of vulnerable communities at the county level, in each state, during public health emergencies. SVI ranks counties based on four key themes: socioeconomic status, household characteristics, racial and ethnic minority status, and housing type and transportation. This tool aims to help public health officials and emergency response planners identify communities that may require additional support before, during, and after hazardous events, such as disease outbreaks, by considering factors like poverty, access to transportation, and unem