Identifying trends in 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine uptake among San Mateo County mass vaccination clinic attendees

Historically, vaccination uptake among minorities, particularly Hispanics/Latinos and African Americans, has been low despite efforts to engage these communities through targeted outreach. Most local health jurisdictions have limited resources to adequately and effectively engage these communities and address this disparity in vaccine uptake. San Mateo County Health System (SMCHS) conducted mass influenza vaccination clinics from December 2009 through February 2010 as a part of its mass vaccination strategy. County-specific data on vaccine uptake has not been collected in previous influenza seasons. Preliminary data collected from six SMCHS clinics that targeted the uninsured/underinsured population show that 45% of clinic attendees self-identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino and 1% of attendees self-identified as African American. Additionally, preliminary data combined from two mass vaccination clinics that did not target any population subgroup, show that 36% of clinic attendees self-identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino and 1% self-identified as African American. U.S. Census population estimates from 2008 indicate that San Mateo County's population was 23% Hispanics/Latinos and 3% African American.

It is our aim to collect and analyze demographic data from all mass H1N1 influenza vaccination clinics conducted throughout the County to identify trends in race/ethnicity, age, self-reported underlying medical conditions, and geographic distribution via GIS mapping. We will further assess whether a difference exists in ethnic/racial minority attendance among targeted versus untargeted vaccination events. These findings may identify disparities in minority uptake of influenza vaccine and serve as baseline indicators to plan future County-sponsored mass vaccination clinics.