BACKGROUND:
The Racial and Ethnic Adult Disparities in Immunization Initiative (READII) is a demonstration project being conducted in five sites (Chicago; Milwaukee; Mississippi; Rochester, NY; and San Antonio). These READII sites have developed partnerships with local organizations to develop and implement culturally appropriate interventions to raise immunization rates.

OBJECTIVE:
Reduce racial and ethnic disparities in adult immunization rates.
Understand better the aspects of successful community interventions that increase adult immunization rates.

METHOD:
CDC is the lead federal agency supporting the READII demonstration project. In 2002, CDC contracted AED to provide technical assistance to the demonstration. Each site developed and implemented its own community-based, culturally-appropriate interventions to meet its goal of raising immunization rates among its African American and Hispanic seniors.

RESULT:
The sites, through their public/private partnerships, developed operating principles for their coalitions to effectively reach African American and Hispanic seniors in a way that the target population understood and resonated with them and their community. Community outreach and public awareness efforts for these seniors focused on correcting the myths and misconceptions and/or barriers that impeded the higher vaccination rates, and culturally appropriate venues for consumer education.

CONCLUSION:
Community coalitions wishing to increase minority immunization rates should consider these evidence-based and effective interventions as models for replication. As with any intervention to be replicated, be sure it is culturally appropriate and locally adapted to meet the specific needs of the target audience.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
>>define cultural competency,
>>identify at least five culturally appropriate interventions to raise adult vaccination rates among African American and Hispanic seniors 65 years of age and older.
>>discuss “lessons learned”, challenges and barriers, and future plans to sustain these culturally appropriate and effective interventions after the READII demonstration project has concluded in early 2005.