tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
The 2009 H1N1 pandemic was the basis for a study on flu vaccination rates in different communities. The study was published by The Journal of Public Health Management and Practice and looked at H1N1 vaccination rates among different racial/ethnic groups in Los Angelos during 2009. The study found that African Americans in that area had much lower vaccination rates. Cost was not an issue since the vaccine was mass produced and offered to the public for free. "Public health officials did not engage trusted leaders within African American communities, which resulted in miscommunication about the importance and safety of the vaccine." said Lloyd F. Novick, MD, MPH, and Editor-in-Chief. Additionally, researchers found that emails and social networking sites in the community were advising against the vaccine as well as faith based leaders and radio disc jockeys.
The study concluded that the key to improving flu vaccination rates is to get accurate information to community leaders in a timely manner-before the pandemic strikes. A lot of positive education seems to be the best way to improve vaccination rates and prevent the flu. Unfortunately, public health officials may have a harder time doing this since celebrities like Jennifer McCarthy are very outspoken about their belief that vaccines are related to autism. While numerous studies have shown this to be untrue many people will forgo vaccination on behalf of their children out of fear that it will cause autism. Also, a study done earlier this year showed that many Americans believe that the side effects from flu shots are actually worse than the flu, that you can get the flu from the flu shot, or that the flu isn't serious enough to warrant the shot. It is misconceptions like these that must be addressed if flu vaccination rates are to be improved.
http://ent.about.com/b/2011/02/05/study-reveals-the-key-to-improving-flu-vaccination-rates.htm
The study concluded that the key to improving flu vaccination rates is to get accurate information to community leaders in a timely manner-before the pandemic strikes. A lot of positive education seems to be the best way to improve vaccination rates and prevent the flu. Unfortunately, public health officials may have a harder time doing this since celebrities like Jennifer McCarthy are very outspoken about their belief that vaccines are related to autism. While numerous studies have shown this to be untrue many people will forgo vaccination on behalf of their children out of fear that it will cause autism. Also, a study done earlier this year showed that many Americans believe that the side effects from flu shots are actually worse than the flu, that you can get the flu from the flu shot, or that the flu isn't serious enough to warrant the shot. It is misconceptions like these that must be addressed if flu vaccination rates are to be improved.
http://ent.about.com/b/2011/02/05/study-reveals-the-key-to-improving-flu-vaccination-rates.htm