Partnering With Faith-Based Organizations to Offer Flu Vaccination and Other Preventive Services

Abstract

In 2019, just one-half of Americans received their influenza vaccine, despite it being safe, effective, and important in preventing serious infection, hospitalization, and death. Black children receive fewer influenza vaccines than their White counterparts. Vaccine hesitancy can hinder influenza vaccine uptake and is partially fueled by ongoing systemic racism and historical abuse leading to medical mistrust in communities of color. Building trust may enhance the transfer of reliable vaccine information and may move people along the spectrum of vaccine intention. We sought to partner with faith-based organizations through a community influenza vaccination event to increase vaccination rates. By leveraging the reach and expertise of trusted voices, such as church "first ladies" and local community leaders, we were able to administer 600 pediatric influenza vaccines between 2016 and 2019. In addition, this event served as a platform to assess whether youth attendees had a place for regular medical care ("medical home") (>80% did in each year assessed) and to conduct preventive screenings. Most children, as reported by their caregivers, had recent medical check-ups (85% in 2016, 84% in 2017, and 82% in 2018). Of the children screened, more than one-third had an abnormal body mass index and one-half had abnormal dentition. By partnering with organizations that are well-embedded in the local community, such as faith-based organizations, health care groups may be able to maximize the impact of their health promotion campaigns.