Caribbean American Clinic Evaluation of Barriers Against Receiving the Influenza Vaccine Amongst Caribbean American Population James J. Lee, Angela A. Han, Grant M. Ho, Sharanpreet Kaur, Rebecca A. Uttermann, Dr. Joy Lewis D.O, Kate Whelihan MPH, Dr. Norma Villanueva M.D, Dr. Laura Grady D.O 1A.T . Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, 2NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers Background Results Discussion NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers network provides high quality, affordable primary health care and support services and is one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers networks in the nation. We medical students came across statistical differences amongst the clinics that put into question “Why patients at the Caribbean American Clinic kept refusing the flu vaccine” in comparison to the other network clinics. A total of 92 patients volunteered for the study, with 33 participants from the Caribbean American Clinic and 59 participants from the other four clinics (Brooklyn Chinese, Park Slope, Sunset Terrace Pediatrics and Women’s Health). A total of 130 patients were approached. The four latter clinics were categorized as “Others” in our study. Patients often have misconceptions about the influenza vaccine. Through our study, we were able to come to a conclusion that the most pertinent barrier leading to a refusal of the flu vaccine, was due to a lack of medical knowledge. If the benefits of the vaccine were discussed with the patients by either the providers, medical assistants, medical students, nurses, or even by brochures, we strongly believe that the hesitancy of accepting the vaccine would decrease. Caribbean American Clinic 1Other Clinics “I don’t like needles” 5 3 “I don’t have time” “It makes me sick” 16 6 “I don’t get sick” “I don’t believe in it” 1 2 “I was never offered” “I don’t think it’s important” “I got it last year” “Got it!” 7 34 Objectives Evaluate the barriers against receiving the influenza vaccination amongst the Caribbean-American population To investigate the Social Determinants of Health that interfere with the health care compliance of patients amongst NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers Acknowledgements Methodology Conclusions We would like to thank the staff at NYU Lutheran Family Health centers for their help and patience, attention, and helpfulness and the patients, who graciously participated in the survey. A retrospective study was conducted across various clinics in Lutheran Family Health Centers consortium to determine differences in vaccination rates. Volunteers, upon oral consent, were asked to answer an anonymous questionnaire that tested basic knowledge of the flu and were asked for reasons to decline the vaccine The results of the study demonstrated that patients at the Caribbean American Clinic were much less inclined to get the influenza vaccine, supporting our hypothesis that patients do in fact have significant barriers affecting their decisions to get vaccinated. The most influential barrier leading to rejecting the vaccine pointed towards the lack of medical education and misconceptions about the existing vaccination. References Johnson D.R., Nichol K.L., Lipcyznski K., et al. Barriers to adult immunization. American Journal of Medicine. 2008; 121:pp S28-S35 Uniform Data System Reports. Prenatal Patient Influenza Vaccine Refusal Rate at Lutheran Family Health Center. Published March 31, 2014. Accessed April 20th, 2014.