Meck County vaccine rollout shows racial disparity; health officials work to improve equity

North Carolina state health officials often say when you have a spot, take the shot. It turns out, that's easier said than done, because data shows Mecklenburg County's Black and brown residents are not getting a spot, or a shot, at the same rate as their white neighbors.

Simply put, Mecklenburg County has another equity problem.

Black people account for roughly 26% of the population who are 65 years and older, according to data provided by the Mecklenburg County Health Department.

But Black and brown residents in that age group have only received roughly 16.8% of first doses in the county.

White residents account for 64.5% of the population who are 65 years and older, but they've received more than 70% of first doses through the Mecklenburg County Health Department.