Lower flu vaccination rates in black, Hispanic vs white patients

Miami, Florida – According to experts, now is the time for your flu shot, if you still haven’t got it.

According to CDC data, flu vaccination rates are lower in Black and Hispanic people.

For the 2019-2020 season, flu vaccination coverage was 53% among White people, 41% among Black people, and 38% among Hispanic or Latino people. People of color also have higher rates of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the flu.

“Immunization is our best defense against influenza,” said Dr. Aaron Clark from The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center.

The hospital is working to improve access to vaccines and addressing concerns from the community.

“Transparency, engaging the community actively as partners in the process, and being non-judgmental in this is the key to success when you’re trying to resolve disparities,” Dr. Clark said.

The emergency department at Ohio State gave out 10 times more flu shots to non-White patients last season than the previous one.

In October, the director of the CDC warned of a potentially severe flu season this year.

According to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, there were few flu cases last year “largely because of masking and physical distancing and other prevention measures put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic.”