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11–16 Padilla and colleagues highlight another barrier in their study associating an individual's decision not to vaccinate with trust in the government. Hispanic population and locally in studies of Texas communities. 10īilingual messaging and education have been shown to improve influenza vaccine confidence and uptake across the U.S.
Monal shah code#
7 zip code in southeast Dallas has multiple health disparities, including the fourth lowest life expectancy and an observed influenza and pneumonia age-adjusted mortality rate 2.3 times higher than other areas in Dallas County. In the most recent report from 2019, 41 zip codes were recognized as having a high SocioNeeds Index, calculated from six indicators: poverty, income, unemployment, occupation, education, and language. Parkland Health and Hospital System (PHHS) in conjunction with the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) department publishes a Community Health Needs Assessment for Dallas County every 3 years to assess the current state of health, identify health disparities, and implement strategies to address community needs. 9 In this context, it is increasingly important to promote influenza vaccine uptake in racial and ethnic minority communities with known health disparities and vaccine hesitancy. The 2020–2021 influenza season is challenged by the presence of COVID-19 with a greater burden of respiratory infections posing a threat to health care resources and increased morbidity and mortality.
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With the emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic, mortality from respiratory infections has risen dramatically, with more than 340,000 deaths in the United States attributed to the COVID-19 virus. 7 Common barriers to vaccine uptake include poverty, lack of health insurance, access to care, low levels of educational attainment, language differences, and misunderstanding vaccination risks. Influenza season data from 2018 to 2019 show higher rates of hospitalization due to influenza for non-Hispanic Black (68%) and Hispanic populations (44%) compared with the non-Hispanic White population (38%). The most recent influenza season (2018–2019) demonstrated the highest rate of influenza vaccination in non-Hispanic White persons (53%), 41% in non-Hispanic Black persons, and 38% in Hispanic persons. 4–6 The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) fluvax report highlights a persistent trend over the last decade (2009–2018). Racial disparities exist for Influenza vaccination across the country, with lower rates reported among Black and Hispanic populations. 1, 2 While vaccination can prevent cases, hospitalizations, and deaths due to influenza, 3 <50% of the U.S. There were more than 117,000 deaths reported from influenza in the United States over the last three Influenza seasons. Sixteen percent of participants surveyed had never received an influenza vaccine before this event.Ĭonclusion: Cocreated messaging delivered by trusted sources in the Hispanic community led to a successful Influenza vaccine drive with the Dallas County health department. Among Spanish language participants, the church bulletins (57.3%) and Spanish language radio (30.5%) were reported to be most effective modes of messaging versus word of mouth (32.9%) and social media (26.3%) for English-speaking participants. Ninety-eight percent identified as Hispanic/Latino, and the majority of surveys were administered in Spanish. Results: Two hundred and forty-one of 394 (61.2%) participants completed the survey. Adults were asked to complete a 19-question survey postvaccination offered in both English and Spanish. The health department administered vaccines to individuals >age 3 at no cost. Methods: Messaging was cocreated with student health ambassadors to promote immunization and delivered through trusted sources.
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A survey was administered to adults attending the Influenza vaccine event to understand attitudes and perceptions about influenza, vaccination, and effective messaging strategies for the campaign. We aim to improve vaccination through a community-led event, partnering with the Cristo Rey School Dallas, located in a zip code with a higher age-adjusted influenza/pneumonia mortality rate. Influenza vaccination rates remain low in the Hispanic community. Historical data reflect disproportionate morbidity and mortality rates in the Hispanic population for influenza and COVID-19. The 2020–2021 influenza season is predicted to be further impacted by COVID-19 infections. Purpose: Influenza/pneumonia is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.
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