Racial and ethnic disparities in flu vaccination and hospitalization rates

Racial and ethnic disparities in flu vaccination and hospitalization rates

Black, Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults in the United States are more likely to be hospitalized with flu and less likely to be vaccinated against flu, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report. The CDC is working to increase flu vaccination rates by using proven strategies to raise awareness of how serious the flu can be and to reduce barriers to vaccination.

The Vital Signs report examined 2009-2022 flu hospitalization rates and 2010-2022 flu vaccination rates by race and ethnicity from two data sources, the Influenza-Associated Hospitalization Network (FluSurv-NET) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). ).

Flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from the flu and its potentially serious complications. Improving people’s access to and trust in flu vaccines is critical to reducing inequalities.”

Debra Houry, MD, MPH,Principal Deputy Director of the CDC

Influenza vaccine coverage has been consistently lower among Black, Hispanic, and AI/AN adults since 2010. During the 2021-2022 season, influenza vaccine coverage was 54% among white and Asian adults, 42% among Black adults, 38% among Hispanic adults and 41% among AI/AN adults.

Black, Hispanic, and AI/AN adults were more likely to be hospitalized with influenza than white adults in most seasons from 2009 to 2022. Compared to white adults, hospitalization rates were nearly:

• 80 % höher bei schwarzen Erwachsenen,
• 30 % höher bei AI/AN-Erwachsenen und
• 20 % höher bei hispanischen Erwachsenen.

There are many reasons for the disparity in severe flu outcomes, including lack of access to health care and insurance, missed vaccination opportunities, and misinformation and distrust that contribute to lower trust in vaccines. People from certain racial and ethnic minority groups have higher rates of asthma, diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases. These increase the risk of serious flu complications. Racism and prejudice are also known to worsen inequalities.

Over the past two years, CDC has launched programs to address barriers to flu vaccination and increase awareness of its importance, particularly among people from racial and ethnic minority groups. These include the Partnering for Vaccine Equity (P4VE) program and a targeted national flu vaccination campaign. These programs use proven measures to promote vaccination of people from racial and ethnic minorities.

Health care providers, state and federal officials, and individuals can work together to combat the flu by taking steps to increase vaccine uptake among everyone, including people from racial and ethnic minority groups.

• Gesundheitsdienstleister können Patienten eine Grippeimpfung dringend empfehlen und kulturell angemessene Impfempfehlungen aussprechen. Dies könnte die Verwendung von Materialien mit Bildern umfassen, die für die Menschen in der Gemeinschaft repräsentativ sind, die Bereitstellung von Informationen, die transparent sind und die Vorteile und Gründe für Impfungen fördern, die Behandlung von gemeinschaftsspezifischen Bedenken und Fehlinformationen wie Nebenwirkungen oder Risiken von Impfstoffen und die Verwendung der vorherrschenden Sprache in der Gemeinschaft gesprochen, wie z. B. Spanisch.
• Staatliche und lokale Regierungen sollten Impfhindernisse identifizieren und beseitigen und mit kommunalen Organisationen zusammenarbeiten, um den Zugang und die Bequemlichkeit zu verbessern. Die Partnerschaft mit vertrauenswürdigen Boten und die Förderung kulturell relevanter Botschaften kann Vertrauen in Impfstoffe aufbauen und die Gerechtigkeit fördern.
• Jeder sollte sich heute gegen die Grippe impfen lassen und andere in ihrer Gemeinde ermutigen, sich diesen Herbst und Winter einen Grippeimpfstoff für den besten Schutz gegen die Grippe zu besorgen.

Source:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

.