Immunization of Ethnic and Racial Groups for Ob-Gyns

• Visit CDC's resource page for vaccine information for racial and ethnic populations or American Indian/Alaska Natives

• A webinar “Reaching Minority and Vulnerable Populations: Getting Ahead of the Curve to Prevent Seasonal Flu” provides insights from experts on overcoming barriers for reaching vulnerable populations. This October 6, 2010 webinar is archived.

• Free multicultural materials on seasonal influenza (flu) are available for providers and the public.

• National Medical Association has information on advancing medicine for people of African descent, including a section for patients and the public about timely health topics, including influenza immunization.

• Indian Health Service has resources for and about American Indian and Alaska Native populations, including seasonal influenza (flu).

• CDC has free resources on seasonal influenza (flu) for minority populations.

• Racial and ethnic minority populations have considerably lower rates of flu vaccination than the general population. Close to 5000 African-Americans and 2000 Hispanics die each year due to influenza and pneumonia-related complications. Many reports have potentially linked lower vaccination rates and a high burden of chronic disease to higher death rates related to H1N1 in some minority communities. The role of physicians and other healthcare workers in increasing immunization rates, particularly in minority and under-served communities, is key. HHS has made elimination of health disparities in vaccination rates in minority communities and other under-served communities a top priority for 2010 by improving vaccine access and availability for the coming flu season. HHS is going to address -- especially within minority communities -- general fear regarding safety, reluctance to accept vaccine, as well as misinformation and mistrust of administration of vaccines. HHS is also going to address one key finding that has come out of some focus group data, that minority population perception that influenza is not a serious disease, and improve awareness regarding vaccine risks. Physicians can play a key role by stressing the message to minority populations; that influenza is a serious illness, especially for those who have chronic illnesses and those over the age of 65, but really for all populations. And make sure they stress the importance of getting vaccinated this particular year. For a transcript on vaccination challenges with minority populations from an August 30, 2010 COCA Call HHS/CDC Influenza Update.

• An article Disparities in Influenza Immunization Among US Adults published in the Journal of the National Medical Association.

Immunization of Ethnic and Racial Groups for Patients

Seasonal influenza (flu) affects certain ethnic and racial groups at a higher rate. The disease is also more severe than in the overall population. Getting the vaccine is the best way to prevent catching the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers free resources on the flu for minority groups.

These groups include:

•  Blacks or African Americans

• American Indians and Alaska Natives

• Asian Americans

• Hispanics or Latinos

• Other Pacific Islanders

• Others

In addition to a vaccine against the flu, there are vaccines for many other diseases that these ethnic and racial groups are at higher risk for contracting. See the list below. In some minority groups, many adults did not get recommended vaccines as children. This has led to an increase in the rate of infection among these groups. The risk of serious complications from infection is also higher in these groups. The best way to prevent the spread of these diseases is by getting the vaccines.

In addition to the flu, vaccines can also prevent:

• Bacterial meningitis

• Measles, mumps, rubella (German measles)

• Polio

• Diphtheria, pertussis, (whooping cough), tetanus, (lockjaw)

• Hepatitis A, hepatitis B

• Pneumococcal diseases

• Varicella (chickenpox)

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

• Rotavirus

• Herpes zoster (shingles)

The CDC has a special department dedicated to improving minority health called the Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities (OMHD). Visit CDC's resource page for vaccine information for racial and ethnic populationsor American Indian/Alaska Natives.

The Indian Health Service also has resources for the health of American Indian and Alaska Native populations, including vaccination.

Talk to your health care provider about what vaccines you may need for your children as well as those that you may have missed as a child and can catch up on now.