Factors influencing COVID rates at local authority level and contribution of variation in vaccine coverage

We have undertaken a piece of rapid analysis of the most recent COVID-19 weekly rates to examine commonalities across areas with rates exceeding twice the national average. Our preliminary findings point towards an association between higher case rates and deprivation with implications for health inequalities. Furthermore, we also observed an association between higher case rates and lower rates of vaccination. More analysis is needed to further explore these linkages and help fuel what should be an urgent narrative around the need to tackle health inequalities in the COVID era.