“The vaccine must be fully available to undocumented Americans, if not, it will put all of us at risk,” said Manuel Pastor, head of the Equity Research Institute at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, which uses data and analysis to dissect equity issues.

“Imagine restaurants reopening when you haven’t also included the entire staff in your vaccination efforts,” said Pastor. “Because undocumented residents, due to their work status, our health insurance system, the perceived danger of approaching our government, and economic distress, are less likely to access vaccines, it is imperative that we make them free and deliver them through trusted vehicles.”