Clinicians championing flu vaccine equity: what minority-serving clinics in the United States do and need

Significant disparities in flu vaccination in underserved communities of color persist. To address these disparities, National Minority Quality Forum Center for Sustainable Health Quality and Equity collaborated with over 45 clinical practices throughout the United States to advance quality improvement (QI) programs aimed at increasing equity in vaccination and evaluate progress. To assess effectiveness of the QI programs, we surveyed participating clinics in March and April 2024. Separately we gathered data from practices to report on vaccination rates. Influenza vaccination rates increased 1%–45% in 37 responding practices. Sixty percent of practices reported >90% staff vaccination rates. Higher patient vaccination rates were reported in clinics with staff vaccination requirements. Eighty percent of clinics reported vaccine champions. The top three needs cited in getting patients vaccinated were free vaccines for the uninsured, family and caregiver education resources, and staff training on addressing hesitancy. Education and support for clinicians working in these communities increases flu vaccination rates. The Flu DRIVE program had a positive effect on increasing flu vaccine rates in Black and Hispanic populations. Support for QI programs, immunization-related resources and increasing staff vaccination and hesitancy training could help further improve flu vaccination disparities. • Flu DRIVE QI program targets persistent racial and ethnic flu vaccine disparities. • Clinics using community-based approaches boosted vaccination rates. • Vaccine champions linked to increased uptake in Black, Hispanic adults. • Efforts to improve staff vaccination and training identified as key strategies. • Findings offer scalable solutions amid public health funding cuts.