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WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 8, 2019 - Sustainable Healthy Communities announced the publication of a summary report in Vaccine, the leading peer-reviewed journal focused on immunization science, urging health systems, providers and community stakeholders to implement evidence-based strategies to address racial disparities in influenza immunization. The manuscript, titled Effective and equitable influenza vaccine coverage in older and vulnerable adults: The need for evidence-based innovation and transformation, will be featured in the April issue of the publication.
The report was based on an April 2018 roundtable which convened experts in epidemiology, clinical research, behavioral economics and psychology to discuss the issue of under-vaccination and racial disparities in older adults. As part of the meeting, the panel reviewed data on influenza epidemiology - particularly among African American and Hispanic populations - the impact of influenza on chronic disease exacerbation and efficacy of flu vaccines in older adults. These findings were the bases of several strategies identified to help rapidly increase immunization rates in older and vulnerable adults.
"Despite years of work and millions of dollars invested in vaccine development and education, we have failed to significantly raise vaccination rates in adults, particularly in people of color with chronic health conditions," said Gregory Poland, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic and lead author of the publication. "Urgent action is needed to address the barriers in this susceptible population and avoid a public health crisis resulting from inadequate immunization."
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The report was based on an April 2018 roundtable which convened experts in epidemiology, clinical research, behavioral economics and psychology to discuss the issue of under-vaccination and racial disparities in older adults. As part of the meeting, the panel reviewed data on influenza epidemiology - particularly among African American and Hispanic populations - the impact of influenza on chronic disease exacerbation and efficacy of flu vaccines in older adults. These findings were the bases of several strategies identified to help rapidly increase immunization rates in older and vulnerable adults.
"Despite years of work and millions of dollars invested in vaccine development and education, we have failed to significantly raise vaccination rates in adults, particularly in people of color with chronic health conditions," said Gregory Poland, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic and lead author of the publication. "Urgent action is needed to address the barriers in this susceptible population and avoid a public health crisis resulting from inadequate immunization."
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