Flu Vaccine Social Media Toolkit For Black & African American Communities | 2022

Flu 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. Increasing flu vaccination rates within Black communities provides the best protection against the flu 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:

Incorporate toolkit content, images, and messaging in flu vaccination communications
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

Protecting Your Elders

(TWITTER) Encourage your elders to get vaccinated against the flu! According to @CDCgov, adults 65 and older are at greater risk of severe #flu-related illness. 📍Find a flu #vaccine at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html to keep yourself and family safe from the flu.
(FACEBOOK) Encourage your elders to get vaccinated against the flu! According to @CDC, adults 65 and older are at greater risk of severe #flu-related illness. Contact your local health department or health care provider to get a flu vaccine. 📍Find a flu vaccine to keep yourself and family safe from the flu: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
(INSTAGRAM)Encourage your elders to get vaccinated against the flu! According to @CDCgov, adults 65 and older are at greater risk of severe #flu-related illness. Contact your local health department or health care provider to get a flu vaccine.

Flu Vaccine for People with HIV

(TWITTER) #DYK people with #HIV are at higher risk of serious complications if they get the flu? According to @CDCgov, in 2019, 4 out of 10 people with HIV were Black. Don’t risk serious complications—get the #flu shot. 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 the flu? According to @CDC, in 2019, 4 out of 10 people with HIV were Black. Don't risk serious complications. Get the #flu shot. 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 the flu? According to @CDCgov, in 2019, 4 out of 10 people with HIV were Black. Don’t risk serious complications. Get the #flu shot. Find a flu vaccine near you by contacting your health care provider of local health department.

Keeping Children Safe

(TWITTER) Children over 6 months of age need a #flu vaccine every year. Those younger than 5 years old are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. Keep your children safe by getting them vaccinated against the flu! #FightFlu
(FACEBOOK) Children over 6 months of age need a #flu vaccine every year. Those younger than 5 years old are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. Keep your children safe by getting them vaccinated against the flu! #FightFlu
(INSTAGRAM) Children over 6 months of age need a #flu vaccine every year. Those younger than 5 years old are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. Keep your children safe by getting them vaccinated against the flu! #FightFlu

Vaccines for Pregnant Women

(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

(TWITTER) #DYK pregnant people are at serious risk for flu-related complications? If you’re #pregnant, get a flu shot to protect yourself and your baby from the flu. Find a flu vaccine near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
(FACEBOOK) Did you know pregnant people are at serious risk for flu-related complications? If you’re #pregnant, get a flu shot to protect yourself and your baby from the flu. Find a flu vaccine near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
(INSTAGRAM) Did you know pregnant people are at serious risk for flu-related complications? 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 get your flu vaccine.

Benefits of the Flu Vaccine

(TWITTER) Benefits of the #FluVaccine: 🔵 Keeps you from getting sick 🔵 Helps reduce severity of illness 🔵 Protects you & people around you from catching the flu 📍Find a flu vaccine near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.htm
(FACEBOOK) Benefits of the #FluVaccine: 🔵 Keeps you from getting sick 🔵 Helps reduce severity of illness 🔵 Protects you & people around you from catching the flu 📍Find a flu vaccine near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.htm
(INSTAGRAM) Benefits of the #FluVaccine: 🔵 Keeps you from getting sick 🔵 Helps reduce severity of illness 🔵 Protects you & people around you from catching the flu 📍Call your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy to get your flu vaccine.

Thank You For Getting a Flu Vaccine

(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

(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 flu vaccine near you by contacting your health care provider or local health department.

Flu Vaccine Misconceptions

(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 the 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 the 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 the vaccine! Find a flu vaccine near you by contacting your health care provider or local health department.

Flu Prevention / #BooToTheFlu

(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 ▪️ Find a flu vaccine near you by contacting your health care provider or local health department.

Everyone Needs a Flu Vaccine

(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

(TWITTER) Stay healthy for the holidays with the flu vaccine! If you’re #pregnant, get a flu shot so you and your baby stay healthy this holiday season. #FightFlu Find a flu vaccine: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
(FACEBOOK) As you gather for the holiday season, make sure to get the flu vaccine early. It takes 2 weeks after vaccination for the body to develop protection against the #flu. Visit https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html to find a flu vaccine near you. #FightFlu
(INSTAGRAM) As you gather for the holiday season, make sure to get the flu vaccine early. It takes 2 weeks after vaccination for the body to develop protection against the #flu. Contact your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy to find a flu vaccine near you. #FightFlu

November-January

The Flu Vaccine is Safe

(TWITTER) You can still get your flu vaccine! The vaccine is safe, does not give you the flu, and is your best protection against catching the #flu. Find vaccine locations near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
(FACEBOOK) You can still get your flu vaccine! The vaccine is safe, does not give you the flu, and is your best protection against catching the #flu. Find vaccine locations near you: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/where/index.html
(INSTAGRAM) You can still get your flu vaccine! The vaccine is safe, does not give you the flu, and is your best protection against getting sick from the #flu. Call your health care provider, local health department, or pharmacy to find a flu vaccine near you.

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See below for toolkits tailored to specific audiences.

Toolkit for American Indian & Alaska Native Communities

Toolkit for Asian American & Pacific Islander Communities

Toolkit for the General Public

Toolkit for Hispanic, Latino, & Latinx Communities (en español)

Date last updated: 14 October 2022

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