System has to prioritize vaccines for those most at risk

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Providence Hospital gave preferential treatment to its donors, board members, and volunteers, in regard to receiving the COVID vaccine. Hospital officials have apologised (“Providence gave special vaccine access to donors, volunteers,” The Herald, Jan. 29.

I hope that Snohomish County can use this moment to recalibrate. To our community officials and leaders: Are you reaching out to leaders and influencers within minority and underserved communities? It has been documented that minorities have been overrepresented in the numbers of covid hospitalizations and death. Many minority members are front-line workers who are at high risk of being exposed. Minority communities nationwide have suffered economically also.

So let’s make sure that our at-risk community members who are eligible under the state guidelines, get their vaccines. Not just wealthy VIPs.

Nancy F. Wilkinson

Everett