The AAPI population includes more than half of Americans with chronic Hepatitis B yet only about 6% of the entire population. Currently 2 in 3 Asian Americans do not know they are infected with hepatitis B. You can protect AAPI patients by educating them about hepatitis B, screening them, vaccinating those who are not yet immune, and arranging treatment for those who are chronically infected. Federal recommendations include universal hepatitis B vaccination for adults 19 – 59 years of age and screening for all adults.
Additionally, vaccine rates for other recommended vaccines are low. The American Journal of Public Health reported AAPI vaccine rates for shingles at 29.2% and HPV (among females) at 28.4%. Consider these communication strategies to increase vaccine uptake in the AAPI community, and strongly recommend vaccination for all these and all other routine vaccines, including COVID-19.
Thank you for helping to keep AAPI communities healthy and safe!
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