According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make 80% of the healthcare decisions in the family. Women caregivers are in a unique position to ensure their family members receive the appropriate vaccines as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and their healthcare providers over the course of the lifespan. This includes childhood vaccinations (such as DTAP, polio, MMR), teen vaccinations (such as HPV and MenB), and adult vaccinations (such as Hep A & B and shingles), along with annual flu shots for all ages. CDC reports indicate that U.S. adult vaccination rates remain low for many routinely recommended vaccines, leading to increased illness, hospitalization, disability, and even death. Improved immunization rates can assist in reducing racial/ethnic disparities in healthcare across all age groups. Women, as the primary health care decision-makers in the home, need scientifically-based and culturally-relevant information to make informed decisions to optimize their family’s health.
SWHR is convening a working group of public health researchers and professionals, community leaders, patient advocates, and health care providers for a closed, 1-day roundtable meeting on August 9, 2021. During the roundtable, the SWHR Immunization Education Working Group will discuss how to eliminate barriers to information and access and reduce health disparities through the development of educational materials designed to reach women as immunization recipients and decision-makers.
Support for this educational program has been provided by Merck & Co.
