Awareness initiatives on vaccination in vulnerable communities
This winter, some parents in Denver received text messages that included explanatory videos about the choice of flu vaccination for their children. This initiative was part of an unusual study that sought to foster confidence in vaccines within a historically African -American community. However, the progress of this project was truncated when the Trump administration decided to cancel the investigation before the data could be analyzed, leaving many investigators and members of the disappointed community.
Concern for child Health has gained special relevance, since at least 216 children in the United States have died from the flu this season, the highest figure in 15 years, according to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC). In addition, the lack of vaccination is contributing to some of the largest measles outbreaks in decades and an increase in cases of people’s cough, diseases that could be prevented with vaccines. The current situation raises a significant challenge for health professionals, who seek effective ways to communicate with parents about the importance of immunization.
In this context, Dr. Joshua Williams, a pediatrician in Denver Health, is committed to maintaining an open dialogue with parents concerned with vaccines. Through a project funded by the National Health Institutes, Williams collaborated with the American African Health Center of Denver to organize workshops in which experiences about influenza and vaccination were shared. Despite the interruption of the study, Dr. Williams continues to seek ways to use the videos created by the community in their daily practice, with the aim of strengthening confidence in vaccination and remembering the importance of disease prevention in the community.
