%0 Journal Article
%T Engaging Communities to Reach Immigrant and Minority Populations: The Minnesota Immunization Networking Initiative (MINI), 2006
%A Jennifer Heath
%A Patricia Peterson
%A Paula McNabb
%A Sai Ramya Maddali
%A Scott Santiba£¿ez
%J Public Health Reports
%@ 1468-2877
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0033354919834579
%X In Minneapolis¨CSt Paul, Minnesota, factors such as cultural and linguistic diversity make it difficult for public health agencies to reach immigrant and racial/ethnic minority populations with health initiatives. Founded in 2006, the Minnesota Immunization Networking Initiative (MINI) is a community project that has provided more than 80£¿000 free influenza vaccinations to vulnerable populations, including immigrants and racial/ethnic minority groups. MINI administered 5910 vaccinations through 99 community-based vaccination clinics during the 2017-2018 influenza season and surveyed the clients in their own language about influenza vaccination knowledge and practices. Among those surveyed, 2545 (43.1%) were uninsured and 408 (6.9%) received a first-time influenza vaccination at the MINI clinic. A total of 2893 (49.0%) respondents heard about the clinic through their faith community. Lessons learned included the importance of building relationships with community leaders and involving them as full partners, holding clinics in community-based settings to bring vaccinations to clients, and reporting outcomes to partners
%K faith-based
%K community health
%K influenza vaccination
%K immigrant and minority health
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0033354919834579