Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults living in the United States are more likely to be hospitalized with influenza and less likely to receive a flu vaccine, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report. It is also said to be low. CDC is working to improve influenza vaccination rates by increasing awareness of how serious influenza is and using proven strategies to break down barriers to vaccination.
The Vital Signs report estimates influenza hospitalization rates from 2009 to 2022 and influenza vaccination rates from 2010 to 2022 from two data sources: the Flu Surv-NET and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). were investigated by race and ethnicity. ).
The influenza vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the flu and its potentially serious complications. Increasing access to and confidence in influenza vaccines among people is critical to reducing inequalities. ”
Debra Houry, MD, MPH, CDC Acting Deputy Director
Since 2010, influenza vaccination rates among Black, Hispanic, and AI/AN adults have been consistently lower. During the 2021-2022 season, influenza vaccination rates were 54% among white and Asian adults, 42% among black adults, and 38% among Hispanic adults. , 41% among AI/AN adults.
In most seasons from 2009 to 2022, Black, Hispanic, and AI/AN adults were hospitalized with influenza at higher rates than White adults*. Hospitalization rates compared to white adults were approximately:
It is 80% higher among Black adults, 30% higher among AI/AN adults, and 20% higher among Hispanic adults.
There are many reasons for the disparity in severe influenza outcomes, including lack of access to health care and insurance, missed vaccination opportunities, and misinformation and mistrust leading to low levels of confidence in vaccines. People from certain racial and ethnic minorities have higher rates of asthma, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases. These increase your risk of serious complications from the flu. Racism and prejudice are also known to exacerbate inequality.
Over the past two years, CDC has launched programs to address barriers to influenza vaccination and raise awareness about its importance, especially among racial and ethnic minority populations. These include the Partnership for Vaccine Equity (P4VE) program and targeted national influenza vaccination campaigns. These programs leverage proven measures to help increase vaccinations among people in racial and ethnic minority communities.
Health care providers, state and federal officials, and individuals can work together to fight influenza by taking steps to increase vaccine uptake for everyone, including people from racial and ethnic minorities. Masu.
Healthcare providers can strongly recommend influenza vaccination for their patients and make culturally appropriate vaccine recommendations. This includes using materials that include images that are representative of the local population, providing transparent information that promotes the benefits and reasons for vaccination, and addressing local concerns and misinformation such as vaccine side effects and risks. This includes dealing with problems and using common language. It is spoken in communities such as Spanish. State and local governments should work with community organizations to identify and remove barriers to vaccination and increase access and convenience. Partnering with trusted messengers and promoting culturally relevant messages can build trust and confidence in vaccines and increase equity. To best protect yourself from the flu this fall and winter, everyone should get their flu shot now, and encourage others in your community to get their flu shot, too.
For more information about this report, visit www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
