VPAT reports on H1N1 vaccine outreach to vulnerable communities during 2009 flu season
From October 2009 - January of 2010, Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC) put considerable effort into outreach to vulnerable communities regarding the availability of H1N1 vaccine. Examples of the multiple strategies used include: engaging trusted leaders, utilizing a community communication network, and implementing community sponsored vaccine clinics. In April 2010, Public Health contracted with the Center for MultiCultural Health, and the Alliance of People with disAbilities to help us better understand whether the strategies used were effective and whether the information reached the desired communities. Additionally, we wanted to become more aware of the health beliefs and/or potential barriers some communities to have around being vaccinated or taking action on Public Health’s recommendations.
Specifically, the purpose of the project was to assist PHSKC in assessing:
- Effectiveness of outreach strategies used by PHSKC during the 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu) response
- How communication currently works within culturally specific communities
- Identify communication channels
- Identify trusted sources of information
- Identify how information should be provided
- Special considerations for successful communication in an emergency
Identify health beliefs in the community that may impact the likelihood of taking action
The Center for MultiCultural Health report addresses these areas in the African American, East African, and Russian and Ukranian communities. A subcontract with the Urban Indian Health Institute provided information regaled to American Indian/Alaskan Native communiteis. The Alliance of People with disabilities focused on individuals with disabilities.
Ultimately, PHSKC is working to achieve the following goal: Methods for communicating with culturally-specific populations in an emergency will be clearly defined, and enhanced, in order to improve the timely distribution of information. As a result, culturally-specific populations throughout the region will receive, understand, trust, and be able to act upon the information they receive whether it’s related to H1N1 or another public health emergency.
PHSKC intends that the information gathered through this effort will move us closer to realizing this goal.
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