On Sept. 1, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine released a Discussion Draft of the Preliminary Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine. This robust 114-page framework proposes a commonsense phased approach for the eventual distribution of safe COVID-19 vaccines.

The necessity for a phased approach to safe vaccinations is based on the likelihood of an initial limited vaccine capacity. While the authors note the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on Black, Latino, American Indian, and Native Alaskan populations, we hope the final framework clearly prioritizes access for residents in multigenerational housing from geographic areas hardest hit by the pandemic. In Santa Clara County, many of these residents are people of color.

Here in Santa Clara County, Latino residents account for 25% of our population but are over half of our COVID-19 cases and over 30% of COVID-19 deaths. In addition to the devastating impact on health, more