Arizona is the only state in the U.S. where rural vaccine rates outpaced more populated counties throughout the coronavirus pandemic. That’s according to a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Public health experts believe the rates are mainly fueled by the disproportionate number of Indigenous lives lost to COVID-19.
The profound loss — particularly of elders — drove Tribal citizens to get vaccinated as an act of selflessness.
The state of Arizona's own data did not include vaccinations conducted through the Indian Health Service, which is a federal agency.