FLU VACCINE UPTAKE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNTIES
Let's Make a Difference
Understanding the Problem
Since the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, a spotlight has been shone on the struggle in under privileged communities to receive vaccinations. The COVID-19 vaccine was seen as opportunity to get life back to “normal” and return to some of our beloved activities. Stories flooded the news on how families were able to be united after over a year of separation, but for every good story there were also stories of communities not having access to the vaccine. Not only that, but in racially clustered communities there was also a distrust in the vaccine. Although COVID is more of a dwindling thought for many, vaccine uptake in underserved communities is not reaching the proportional levels to more affluent counter parts. According to the Institute of Health Science, at Wollega University, “vaccine uptake is the number of people vaccinated with a certain dose of the vaccine in a certain time period” (Rikitu Terefa, para 7).
Getting vaccinated is crucial in uplifting under resourced communities. Vaccinations help increase herd immunity, which occurs when the vast majority of people are vaccinated. As the Louisiana Department of Health published, “The ‘herd’ collectively provides insulated safety to all members, which is important for those who are too high-risk for certain vaccinations,” providing safety to those who are unable to get vaccinated by stopping the chain of transmission (para 3).
Seasonal sickness, especially the flu, can be prevented by getting annual booster shots. However, in many communities, they do not have the time, nor the access to these vaccines. Getting sick means missing days of work, and for those who live pay-check to pay-check, could mean missing meals, being unable to cover bills, or even not being able to afford medical expenses. It is crucial to help these communities to increase the standard of living and protect those at risk. The purpose of this website is to help educate our community in order to bring about change on this issue.
