New CDC data shows low flu vaccine numbers; health officials are now concerned

Center of Disease Control's (CDC) data from the 2019 to 2020 flu season shows not enough people got the flu shot and now health officials are concerned.

According to this data, Latinos had the lowest flu vaccination coverage with around 38 percent; African Americans had the second lowest vaccination rate with about 41 percent and Whites had the highest vaccination rate at a little more than 50 percent.

A 2020 ad council survey show that, in light of the pandemic, many people are undecided on whether they want to get a flu shot. About 40 percent of African Americans and Latinos and around 25 percent of Whites all remain undecided about getting vaccinated.

In an effort to try and turn these numbers around, the CDC and American Medical Association are working with the ad council to spread the word about the importance of the flu vaccine.

Since unvaccinated African Americans have twice the hospitalization rate, they're especially focused on getting that message to communities of color.