African Americans are getting their flu shots less and less every year because of mistrust of doctors and flu vaccinations. Photo from: http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/news/?p=113

                  According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services health survey in 2012, salve 40 percent of African Americans, age 18 and over, received their influenza vaccines in the past year. The main reason for this low percentage is because of African American distrust in doctors and vaccines. It’s a myth in the black community that these vaccinations actually do nothing or they make you sick. That is not true, the Center for Disease Control states that “flu vaccine safety is closely monitored by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration.”  Common side effects of the vaccine include a sore arm and possibly a low fever or achiness. With the nasal spray normal side effects are congestion, a runny nose, sore throat, or cough.

                Health officials everywhere have attempted to promote flu vaccinations in the African American Community. Actress Tia Mowry has started a new campaign with with MedImmune Specialty Care, a division of the pharmaceutical Firm AstraZeneca, to ensure blacks everywhere are taking advantage of flu vaccinations, the Atlanta Black Star said. The campaign includes humorous online commercials with Mowry receiving the nasal mists. The purpose of this campaign is to increase the number of vaccinations among blacks because it could save millions of lives.