Important announcement from the Office of Minority Health, HHS

Racial, ethnic, low-income, and Limited English Proficient (LEP) populations face numerous barriers to accessing quality health care and preventative services. Despite improvements in seasonal influenza immunization rates among minority children and pregnant women, health disparities gaps remain persistent among minority, low-income, and LEP adults.

HHS and the Office of Minority Health are committed to closing the gap in seasonal influenza vaccinations among minority communities and understand the importance of local partnerships in overcoming barriers in access such as cost, transportation, location, limited hours of operation, and distrust.

To this end, HHS has sent out an open invitation to national pharmacies to work together in conducting educational outreach and bringing reduced to no cost seasonal influenza vaccinations to hard-to-reach populations through collaborating with local community and faith-based organizations, departments of health, and other stakeholders.

Walgreens Pharmacy has responded to HHS's open invitation by donating seasonal influenza vouchers and their pharmacists' time to conduct flu clinics and other outreach activities. They understand the importance of working with local stakeholders that already have trusted relationships with the community and that understand the community. Walgreens is interested in collaborating with immunization coalitions across the nation.

To assist us in this effort, we appreciate any assistance with reaching out to your coalition members across the U.S. to let them know about this important initiative. For additional information on how to work with pharmacies to reduce seasonal influenza disparities, please contact Natalie.wills@hhs.gov.

Thanks.

Jamila R. Rashid, PhD, MPH
Associate Director for Research and Policy
OMH, OPHS, OS, HHSImmunization that is largely accepted and supported statewide breaking down barriers to maximum protection from vaccine preventable disease.