Vaccinations are essential to protecting our communities’ health.
As with many other health conditions and illnesses, such as COVID-19, Black Americans are disproportionally affected by the flu. Between 2020-2021, almost 5 out of 10 Black people were vaccinated for the flu. However, compared to other racial and ethnic groups, Black people had the highest rates of flu-related hospitalization and ICU admission rates.
CDC expects different viruses to spread this fall and winter, including COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the flu virus. Increasing vaccination rates within Black communities provides the best protection against respiratory viruses and leads to improved health outcomes!
As a community, it is important to continue promoting flu vaccination, improving coverage rates, and preventing serious illness and hospitalization. We encourage you to help educate Black/African American communities on vaccine safety, vaccine benefits, and vaccine recommendations. We also encourage you to share information about contacting a health care provider or local health department so people can find flu vaccines near them.
How to use the toolkit:
- Use toolkit content, graphics, and messaging in your communications this fall and winter
- Customize and share materials with your audiences and stakeholders
- Engage local partners to increase Black communities’ understanding and confidence in vaccines
General tips:
- Customize the messages below to best fit your audience
- Tag partner social media accounts as appropriate
- When possible, include one of the provided graphics to draw attention to your post
September-December
Respiratory Diseases
- (X/TWITTER) .@CDCgov expects several viruses to spread this #flu season—including #COVID19 & #RSV. Keep yourself & your community safe by getting up to date on all recommended #vaccines by contacting your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy.
- (FACEBOOK) @CDCgov expects several viruses to spread this #flu season—including #COVID19 and respiratory syncytial virus (#RSV). Keep yourself and your community safe by getting up to date on all recommended #vaccines by contacting your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy.
- (INSTAGRAM) @CDCgov expects several viruses to spread this #flu season—including #COVID19 & respiratory syncytial virus (#RSV). Keep yourself & your community safe by getting up to date on all recommended #vaccines by contacting your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy.
Protecting Your Elders
- (X/TWITTER) Encourage your elders to get vaccinated this fall! According to @CDCgov, adults 65 and older may be at greater risk of getting sick from the flu, COVID-19, and RSV. 📍Find #vaccines at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html to keep yourself and family safe from these diseases and more.
- (FACEBOOK) Encourage your elders to get vaccinated this fall!! According to @CDC, adults 65 and older are at greater risk of getting sick from the flu, COVID-19, and RSV. 📍Find #vaccines at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.htmlto keep yourself and family safe from these diseases and more.
- (INSTAGRAM) Encourage your elders to get vaccinated this fall!! According to @CDCgov, adults 65 and older are at greater risk of getting sick from the flu, COVID-19, and RSV. 📍 Find #vaccines near you by contacting your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy.
Flu and Respiratory Virus Vaccines for People with HIV
- (X/TWITTER) #DYK people with HIV are at higher risk of serious complications if they get sick from the flu, COVID-19, RSV, or pneumonia? Don't risk serious complications. Get recommended #vaccines. Learn more: https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/other-related-health-issues/flu-and-people-with-hiv
- (FACEBOOK) Did you know people with HIV are at higher risk of serious complications if they get sick from the flu, COVID-19, RSV, or pneumonia? Don't risk serious complications. Get recommended #vaccines to protect you, your family, and those around you this fall and winter. Learn more: https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/other-related-health-issues/flu-and-people-with-hiv
- (INSTAGRAM) Did you know people with #HIV are at higher risk of serious complications if they get sick from the #flu, #COVID19, #RSV, or #pneumonia? Don't risk serious complications. Get recommended #vaccines to protect you, your family, and those around you this fall and winter. Find vaccines near you by contacting your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy. Or go to Vaccines.gov.
Keeping Children Safe
- (X/TWITTER) According to @CDCgov, children are at higher risk of getting sick and developing serious complications from flu, COVID-19, tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. Keep your children safe by getting them all of their recommended #vaccines.
- (FACEBOOK) According to @CDCgov, children are at higher risk of getting sick and developing serious complications from flu, COVID-19, tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. Keep your children safe by getting them all of their recommended #vaccines.
- (INSTAGRAM) According to @CDCgov, children are at higher risk of getting sick and developing serious complications from flu, COVID-19, tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. Keep your children safe by getting them all of their recommended #vaccines.
Vaccines for Pregnant Women
- (X/TWITTER) #DYK Black women report lower rates of being recommended #flu vaccines during pregnancy? If you’re #pregnant, get a flu shot to protect yourself and your baby from the flu. Find a flu vaccine near you at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
- (FACEBOOK) Did you know Black women report lower rates of being recommended #flu vaccines during pregnancy? If you’re #pregnant, get a flu shot to protect yourself and your baby from the flu. Find a flu vaccine near you at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
- (INSTAGRAM) Did you know Black women report lower rates of being recommended #flu vaccines during pregnancy? If you’re #pregnant, get a flu shot to protect yourself and your baby from the flu. Call your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy to find a flu vaccine near you.
Vaccines & Pregnancy
- (X/TWITTER) #DYK pregnant people are at greater risk of getting sick from respiratory viruses? If you’re #pregnant, get the flu, COVID-19, and Tdap vaccines to protect yourself and your baby this fall and winter. 📍Find #vaccines near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
- (FACEBOOK) #DYK pregnant people are at greater risk of getting sick from respiratory viruses? If you’re #pregnant, get the flu, COVID-19, and Tdap vaccines to protect yourself and your baby this fall and winter. 📍Find #vaccines near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
- (INSTAGRAM) #DYK pregnant people are at greater risk of getting sick from respiratory viruses? If you’re #pregnant, get the flu, COVID-19, and Tdap vaccines to protect yourself and your baby. Call your health care provider, local health department or pharmacy to get updated on your recommended vaccines this fall and winter. Or go to Vaccines.gov.
Benefits of the Flu Vaccine
(X/TWITTER) #Vaccines Benefit You: 🔵 Keep you from getting sick 🔵 Help reduce severity of some illnesses 🔵 Protect you & people around you from catching these diseases
Find vaccines at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.htm to keep yourself and family safe from these diseases and more.
(FACEBOOK) #Vaccines Benefit You: 🔵 Keep you from getting sick 🔵 Help reduce severity of some illnesses 🔵 Protect you & people around you from catching these diseases
Find vaccines at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.htm to keep yourself and family safe from these diseases and more.
(INSTAGRAM) #Vaccines Benefit You: 🔵 Keep you from getting sick 🔵 Help reduce severity of some illnesses 🔵 Protect you & people around you from catching these diseases
Keep up to date with recommended vaccines to keep yourself and family safe from these diseases and more.
Thank You for Getting a Flu Vaccine
- (X/TWITTER) Thank you for getting a flu vaccine and protecting our community! Tell your community why you got vaccinated this year and encourage them to get the #FluVax too.
- (FACEBOOK) Thank you for getting a flu vaccine and protecting our community! Tell your community why you got vaccinated this year and encourage them to get the flu vaccine too.
- (INSTAGRAM) Thank you for getting a #FluVaccine and protecting our community! Tell your community why you got vaccinated this year and encourage them to get the #FluVax too.
October
Flu and Chronic Conditions
(X/TWITTER) In 2021, Black people had the highest hospitalization rate for flu-related complications. Say #BooToTheFlu with the flu vaccine —especially if you have chronic health conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. Learn more at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/flu/index.html
(FACEBOOK) In 2021, Black people had the highest hospitalization rate for flu -related illness. Get the flu vaccine and say #BooToTheFlu —especially if you have chronic health conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes which can cause serious flu-related complications. Learn more at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/flu/index.html
(INSTAGRAM) In 2021, Black people had the highest hospitalization rate for flu -related illness. Get the flu vaccine and say #BooToTheFlu —especially if you have chronic health conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes which can cause serious flu-related complications. Find a #FluVaccine near you by contacting your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy.
Flu Vaccine Misconceptions
(X/TWITTER) #DYK? The flu vaccine does not give you the flu—in fact, it’s the best way to prevent getting sick from the #flu. Tell your friends and family to say #BooToTheFlu by getting a vaccine!
Learn more about how you can #FightFlu: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/flu/index.html
(FACEBOOK) #DYK? The flu vaccine does not give you the flu—in fact, it’s the best way to prevent getting sick from the #flu. Tell your friends and family to say #BooToTheFlu by getting a vaccine!
Learn more about how you can #FightFlu: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/flu/index.html
(INSTAGRAM) #DYK? The flu vaccine does not give you the flu—in fact, it’s the best way to prevent getting sick from the #flu. Tell your friends and family to say #BooToTheFlu by getting a vaccine!
Contact your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy to find a flu vaccine near you.
Flu Prevention
(X/TWITTER) How can you say #BooToTheFlu? Take these steps:
- Get the flu vaccine by Halloween
- Use the vampire cough (into your elbow) to minimize the spread of germs
- Wash your hands with soap and water often
Get more info: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/flu/index.html
(FACEBOOK) How can you say #BooTotheFlu? Take these steps:
- Get the flu vaccine by Halloween
- Use the vampire cough (into your elbow) to minimize the spread of germs
- Wash your hands with soap and water often
Get more info: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/flu/index.html
(INSTAGRAM) How can you say #BooToTheFlu? Take these steps:
- Get the flu vaccine by Halloween
- Use the vampire cough (into your elbow) to minimize the spread of germs
- Wash your hands with soap and water often
Contact your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy to find a flu vaccine near you.
Almost Everyone Needs a Flu Vaccine
- (X/TWITTER) #DYK everyone 6 months and older needs a flu vaccine every year? In 2021, only 5 in 10 Black people were vaccinated for the flu. You can protect yourself & your community by getting vaccinated! 📍Find a flu vaccine: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
- (FACEBOOK) #DYK everyone 6 months and older needs a flu vaccine every year? In 2021, only 5 in 10 Black people were vaccinated for the flu. You can protect yourself & your community by getting vaccinated! 📍Find a flu vaccine: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
- (INSTAGRAM) #DYK everyone 6 months and older needs a flu vaccine every year? In 2021, only 5 in 10 Black people were vaccinated for the flu. You can protect yourself & your community by getting vaccinated! Find a flu vaccine near you by contacting your health care provider or local health department.
November-December
Keeping Loved Ones Safe
- (X/TWITTER) As you gather for the holiday season, make sure to get your flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines early. These vaccines can keep you and your loved ones safe to enjoy the fun this season. Visit https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html to find #vaccines near you.
- (FACEBOOK) As you gather for the holiday season, make sure to get your flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines early. These vaccines can keep you and your loved ones safe to enjoy the fun this season. Visit https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html to find #vaccines near you.
- (INSTAGRAM) As you gather for the holiday season, make sure to get your flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines early. These vaccines can keep you and your loved ones safe to enjoy the fun this season. Contact your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy to find #vaccines near you.
November-February
Vaccines are Safe
- (X/TWITTER) You can still get your recommended vaccines for fall and winter! Vaccines are safe, don’t give you the diseases, and are your best protection against more serious outcomes. Find #vaccine locations near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
- (FACEBOOK) You can still get your recommended vaccines for fall and winter! Vaccines are safe, don’t give you the diseases, and are your best protection against more serious outcomes. Find #vaccine locations near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
- (INSTAGRAM) You can still get your recommended vaccines for fall and winter! Vaccines are safe, don’t give you the diseases, and are your best protection against more serious outcomes. Call your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy to find #vaccines near you.
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Date last updated: 16 October 2023