New NIVDP InFLUential Newsletter

The National Influenza Vaccination Disparities Partnership (NIVDP) March 2017 InFLUential News Newsletter is now available. This month’s newsletter highlights their upcoming NIVDP Webinar on April 20 and recaps of their partners’ recent flu vaccination events.

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April NIVDP Webinar To Highlight Successes of Grassroots Outreach

Lessons from the Field: Immunization Leaders Sharing Strategies to Protect Underserved Populations

Date:
Thursday, April 20, 2017

Time:

2 p.m.	Puerto Rico
2 p.m.	Eastern
1 p.m.	Central
12 p.m.	Mountain
11 a.m.	Arizona
11 a.m.	Pacific
10 a.m.	Alaska

Learn about successful national and regional flu vaccination outreach programs from experts in the field. On April 20, the NIVDP will host the webinar, "Lessons from the Field: Immunization Leaders Sharing Strategies to Protect Underserved Populations."

Coinciding with National Minority Health Month, this is the perfect time to raise awareness about flu vaccination disparities and take action to close the gap.

Pairing education with the opportunity to take positive health action is a key to success, says Dr. Arlene Lester, Region IV Minority Health Consultant for the Office of Minority Health. Dr. Lester will be one of the webinar’s featured presenters.

Dr. Arlene Lester

“If we tell people to get a flu shot, we need to offer a way for them to act and get that flu shot,” she says, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with voucher programs and hosting free flu vaccination events to increase vaccination rates for African Americans and Hispanics.

Dr. Lester is a strong advocate for direct communication. “I’ve learned brochures aren’t enough. We need to take a human approach,” she says. That includes outreach through health care providers, faith leaders, and other trusted community members.

Hear more from Dr. Lester and other grassroots outreach experts during our April 20 webinar. Save the date and don’t forget to register.

Webinar Panelists:

Dr. Arlene Lester, Region IV Regional Minority Health Consultant, Office of Minority Health
Claire Hannon, Executive Director, Association of Immunization Managers
Josana Tonda, National Coordinator, Ventanillas de Salud Program
Catherine Flores-Martin, Executive Director, California Immunization Coalition

Take Advantage of Advice and Assistance from Experts

Watch NIVDP’s February webinar, featuring a panel of five immunization coalition leaders who share best practices for promoting flu vaccination in underserved communities.
Utilize the Office of Minority Health’s many valuable resources, including:

Cultural Competency training and standards
Resource Center staff assistance with capacity building, health education materials, health data, and funding applications
National Partnership for Action grassroots blueprint for addressing health equity

Virginia Employment Center Vaccinates Workers

The Shirlington Employment and Education Center in Virginia helped day laborers in the Washington, DC, area this flu season by partnering with Walgreens to offer 50 free flu vaccinations.

The Center connects workers with employers seeking temporary help.

“These folks are very vulnerable. They endure a lot of health challenges,” says the Center’s Executive Director, Andres Tobar. “With flu vaccinations, we can safeguard them from one of those challenges.”

For day laborers who don’t have paid sick days, staying healthy is essential to earn a living. Offering flu vaccinations at the Center made it possible for the day laborers to get vaccinated without missing work to visit a separate clinic.

Tobar went on to say that when workers get a flu vaccine, they also help protect their families and others around them from getting the flu.

Plan a flu vaccination event

Download and use CDC’s Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Campaign Resources for:

Hispanics/Latinos (PDF 2.3 MB, 2 pp)
African Americans (PDF 1.6 MB, 2 pp)
American Indians/Alaska Natives (PDF 500 KB, 1 pp)

Take 3 Messages Now in Spanish

Tome 3 Medidad para combatir la influenza

CDC’s Take 3 Actions to Fight the Flu infographic is now available in Spanish. This infographic uses comic book imagery to educate Hispanics about how to protect themsleves and their loved ones during the flu season.

Print this educational and colorful infographic as a large poster and display it in your office or at community events. Include these images with your social media messages and use the hashtag #FightFlu to amplify your reach and enagement. Your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube content may be featured on CDC’s #FightFlu timeline.

Ready Wrigley Prepares for Flu Season

Reaching out to families? A new children’s activity book from CDC teaches kids about the flu and how to protect themselves from flu germs.

In Ready Wrigley Prepares for Flu Season, Wrigley and her family help protect themselves from the flu by getting a flu shot and taking everyday preventive actions, including avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing their hands often.

Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Ready Wrigley serves as a storybook, activity book, and public health lesson for children from 2 to 8 years of age.

Join Ready Wrigley on her quest and help teach kids and families in your community how to stay safe and healthy for flu season. Ready Wrigley will also be available in Spanish in the near future.

Download Ready Wrigley Prepares for Flu Season (PDF, 1.6MB, 20 pp) today and share it with families in your community.