Advocate for Vaccine Equity During National Immunization Awareness Month

Vaccines help protect people of all ages against many diseases and conditions. In August, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) is working to increase access to vaccines and encouraging those served by CMS to get their routine shots in honor of National Immunization Awareness Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that everyone aged 6 months and older receive updated COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots each year. The CDC also recommends other routine vaccinations based on age.

However, fewer than 1 in 4 adults aged 19 or older received all their recommended vaccines in 2019. Minority populations have even lower vaccination rates, with only 15.9% of Black adults and 17.3% of Hispanic adults receiving routine vaccines compared to 23.7% White adults. Black (39.0%) and Hispanic (37.5%) Americans, as well as people who identify as other or multiple race (41.4%), also have lower flu vaccination coverage when compared with White (49.3%) adults. Significant disparities in access and health coverage, as well as a history of discrimination and distrust, contribute to these racial inequities in vaccination.

Disparities also exist in vaccination rates among children. In 2019, only 48.9% of Black children and 60.6% of Hispanic children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years old received their flu shot, compared to 64.1% of White children. Additionally, fewer children in rural areas received flu vaccines (51.8%) than those in urban areas (64.7%). The CMS Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign encourages families to enroll their children in health coverage so they can get the care and vaccines they need, especially as they go back to school.

During National Immunization Awareness Month, you can help your communities get vaccinated and stay healthy. Review and share the resources below to help those you serve learn more about recommended vaccines and how to access them.

Resources

• Immunization and Vaccine Resources
• Coverage to Care Prevention Resources
• Annual Influenza Vaccination Disparities in Medicare Beneficiaries
• Flu Vaccine Partner Toolkit
• Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool
• Vaccine Information for Adults
• Vaccines for Your Children
• Adult Immunization Schedule
• Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedule
• CDC “Back-to-School” Campaign
• Connecting Kids to Coverage
• Resources to Encourage Routine Childhood Vaccinations
• Vaccines for COVID-19

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