Building Resilient Communities by Fostering Social Equity in Public Administration: Analyzing the Influence of Social Capital on COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in Communities With Varying Social Vulnerabilities

We draw from the Theory of Fundamental Causes to examine social equity and community resilience in public administration. We analyze the effect of social capital and social vulnerability on COVID-19 vaccination rates in United States' counties, as well as social capital's influence in counties with varying social vulnerabilities. Findings show that bonding social capital and socioeconomic status (SES) vulnerability negatively predict vaccine uptake. Bonding's negative association is most pronounced in counties with minority status and language (MS&L) vulnerabilities, and specifically, Hispanic communities, with its influence disappearing in high SES vulnerability counties and Black communities. Linking social capital increases vaccination rates in Black communities and those with SES vulnerability, but not in Hispanic communities or those with MS&L vulnerabilities. The article highlights the nuances of social connections as a resource to enhance resilience. Variations across communities of color and those with varying social vulnerabilities demonstrate the complexity of social equity.