BOSTON – State officials announced on Jan. 15 that $1 million in federal funds would be made available to community-based healthcare organizations to increase the rate at which they can administer swine flu vaccine.
The funds are aimed at addressing racial disparities that have appeared in the spread of the virus in recent months. State health officials report that minorities (particularly blacks, Hispanics and Asians) tend to contract swine flu more often than whites and have higher related rates of hospitalization and death.
A similar December report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated further research was needed to determine exactly why such areas have suffered more, but the report indicated it could be due to higher rates of poverty, preexisting chronic health conditions, poor living conditions or delayed access to care that exists in many minority populations.
Joining Gov. Deval Patrick for the announcement were U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh, state Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby and state Department of Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach.
“We are committed to improving the health and well-being of all residents of the commonwealth, especially those communities that are more vulnerable to the flu,” said Patrick.
State health officials are hoping the stimulus to community organizations will extend outreach to affected populations on the importance of getting vaccinated. The list of organizations to receive funds will be released in the coming weeks.
Koh noted that many of those groups are on the “front lines” of battling the flu and will play a vital role in spreading the word about H1N1 vaccinations.
Also the state is expanding its “Flu Facts” media campaign with new TV and radio commercials featuring blacks and Latinos who highlight the message from the state that the vaccine is safe and widely available.
A complete list of locations offering H1N1 flu vaccine can be found at www.mass.gov/flu under “Find A Flu Clinic.” A summary of the data on disparities among racial backgrounds is available at www.mass.gov/flu, under “News and Updates.”
~ John Castelluccio
