Health Emergency Declaration (HED)

"Vaccines are Good for America Campaign"

Vaccines are Good for America: Why all the confusion?.pdf [6.1mb]

The confusion surrounding immunization and vaccines constitutes a national health crisis for the African American community. The purpose of this report is to seek clarification, financial resources, and technical support from HHS, NIH, the CDC, and the FDA due to the evolution of the public health environment.

More specifically, how do we promote immunization and health education for African Americans in the face of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and the potential separation of 10 million people from the Medicaid rolls?

Program Reports on NBCI Immunization Programs

Cover of the 'Addressing Immunization Disparities in Underserved Communities'

Addressing Immunization Disparities in Underserved Communities

This report details the partnership between NBCI and CME Outfitters (CMEO) including survey results concerning immunization participation, access to education and reasons for disparities in vaccination coverage.
Cover of the 'Immunization Now Tour Six-Month Process Report'

Immunization Now Tour Six-Month Process Report

This report details NBCI work on the "Immunization Now" program and publication with information on campaign data.

Immunization and the African American Community

Image of 'Immunization Now!'
Why Are Vaccines Important? Vaccines save lives. They’re one of the best ways to protect against serious diseases that can make you very sick, send you to the hospital, or even cause death. Getting vaccinated protects you and those around you, like babies, older adults, and people who can’t get certain vaccines because of health problems.

This document offers plain talk about vaccines, those important shots that keep you, your loved ones, and your neighbors healthy.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGES

  • Vaccines help protect you from getting very sick or having long-term problems from certain diseases.
  • You help protect your family and friends when you get your shots.
  • Shots are safe, carefully tested, and can save your life—and someone else’s.
  • Even if you get sick, vaccines will help keep it mild and keep you out of the hospital.
  • Do your part: Check which vaccines you need, ask your health-care professional questions, and get vaccinated to stay healthy, strong, and ready for life’s adventures!
Image of 'Immunization Now!'
What is Immunization? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), immunization is a process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. This term is often used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation. Vaccination is the act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce protection from a specific disease.

What are the Rates of Immunizations among African American Populations? African American adults are less likely than non-Hispanic white adults to have received a flu vaccine in the past year or to have ever received the pneumonia vaccine.
  • In 2018, Non-Hispanic Blacks aged 65 and older were 10 percent less likely to have received the influenza (flu) shot in the past 12 months, as compared to non-Hispanic whites of the same age group.
  • African American children aged 19 to 35 months had comparable rates of immunization in 2017.
  • African Americans are 10 percent less likely to have received a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine as white populations.

The National Black Church Initiative Encourages You and Your Family to Get Your Annual Flu Shot and Follow Your Immunization Chart For All of Your Vaccines - To Stay Healthy!

NBCI Supports the Letter Urging Congress to Probe Kennedy’s Changes to the Childhood Vaccine Schedule

NBCI Supports the Letter Urging Congress to Probe Kennedy’s Changes to the Childhood Vaccine Schedule

The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition of 150,000 African American and Latino faith communities comprising 27.7 million members, stands in full support of the letter signed by more than 200 medical organizations that calls on Congress to investigate recent changes to the childhood vaccination schedule. Just last month, NBCI released an in-depth report, Vaccines Are Good for America, on the confusion surrounding vaccines and the effect on vulnerable populations. This report focuses on the need for vaccine defense and the negative consequences of vaccine confusion for African Americans, Latinos, young children, immunocompromised adults, and the poor.

The Rev. Anthony Evans, National Black Church Initiative, says, “Vaccines for American Africans are at the heart of access to care, which represents the foundation of care. You cannot get any more basic than that.”
NBCI President, Rev Evans

Medical Groups Urge Congress to Probe Kennedy's Vax Schedule Changes

 by Joedy McCreary, Enterprise & Investigative Writer, MedPage Today —
Hundreds of medical and public health organizations urged Congress to investigate the sweeping changes recently made to the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his administration.

Under the new childhood vaccine framework, several immunizations that were previously recommended for everyone are now either limited to high-risk groups or placed under a shared clinical decision-making designation. Influenza, rotavirus, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were each downgraded from routine recommendation status to a shared clinical decision-making model. RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and meningococcal vaccines were also shifted into the category recommended for high-risk children.

The "Childhood Vaccine Schedule Joint Letter" Signed By More Than 230 Health Organizations

The undersigned organizations, representing health care clinicians, public health professionals, scientists, patients, and family advocates, urge you to conduct swift and robust oversight regarding the abrupt changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule announced on Jan. 5, 2026. It is essential that action is promptly taken to protect vaccine availability and coverage for all previously recommended immunizations for all families, including through the Vaccines for Children program.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
National Organizations

317 Coalition
Academic Pediatric Association
American Academy of Pediatrics
Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators
Academy of Perinatal Harm Reduction
ATF: Education, Healthcare, Public Services
Allergy & Asthma Network
Alliance for Aging Research
Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
American Academy of Emergency Medicine
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
American Association of Immunologists
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists
American Association on Health and Disability
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
American College of Preventive Medicine
American College of Physicians
American College of Rheumatology
American Families for Vaccines
American Gastroenterological Association
American Geriatrics Society
American Kidney Fund
American Lung Association
American Pediatric Society
American Public Health Association
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
American Society for Meningitis Prevention
American Society for Microbiology
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
American Society of Hematology
American Society of Pediatric Nephrology
American Thoracic Society
America's Physician Groups
AMR.Solutions
Arthritis Foundation
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Autism Science Foundation
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Big Cities Health Organization
Cancer Nation (formerly National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship)
Caregiver Action Network
Center for Disease Analysis Foundation
Children with Diabetes
Community Catalyst
Council of Medical Specialty Societies
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Defend Public Health
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
Emergency Nurses Association
Emily Stillman Foundation
END SEPSIS
Endocrine Society
Families Fighting Flu
Families USA
First Focus on Children
Generations United
Georgetown University Center for Children and Families
Gerontological Society of America
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
Global Coalition on Aging
Global Healthy Living Foundation
Global Liver Institute
Grandparents for Vaccines
Hand to Hold
HealthHIV
Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association
Hepatitis B Foundation
HIV Medicine Association
Immune Deficiency Foundation
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology
International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Justice in Aging
Kimberly Coffey Foundation
Lakeshore Foundation
Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc.
March of Dimes
NASTAD
National Alliance for Caregiving
National Black Church Initiative
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
National Association of School Nurses
National Coalition for Infant Health
National Coalition of STD Directors
National Consumers League
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
National Health Council
National Hispanic Council on Aging
National Hispanic Health Foundation
National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA)
National Kidney Foundation
National Medical Association
National Network of Public Health Institutes
National PLACE
National Public Health Coalition (NPHC)
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR)
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Society
Neuropathy Action Foundation
NICU Parent Network
NMAC
North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
NTM Info & Research, Inc.
Nurses For America
Nurses Who Vaccinate
Partnership for Innovation and Empowerment
Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Pediatric Policy Council
Peggy Lillis Foundation
Preemie Adventures
PreemieWorld Foundation Inc.
Prevent Blindness
Protect Our Care
Pro-Vaccine Legal Alliance
Public Health Foundation
RetireSafe
SCL-Global Policy Initiative
Sepsis Alliance
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Society for Pediatric Research
Society for Public Health Education
Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)
Society of Hospital Medicine
Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
The AIDS Institute
The Arc of the United States
The J.A.M.I.E. Group
The National Partnership for Women and Families
The Task Force for Global Health
TranactRx
Trust for America's Health
United Spinal Association
Vaccinate Your Family
Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Vaccine Integrity Project
Voices of Alzheimer’s
Youth Rally Committee Inc.

State Organizations

Alabama Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
The Arizona Partnership for Immunization
Arizona Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Arkansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
California Chapter 1, American Academy of Pediatrics
California Chapter 3, American Academy of Pediatrics
California Orange County Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Colorado Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Connecticut Public Health Association
Connecticut Society for Public Health Education
Cook County Department of Public Health (Illinois)
Delaware Academy of Medicine and Public Health
Delaware Nurses Association
District of Columbia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
EverThrive Illinois
Family Voices New Jersey
Florida Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Georgia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Hawaii – American Nurses Association
Henry and Stark County Health Department
Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Illinois Migrant Council
Illinois Public Health Association
Illinois State Medical Society
Immunization Coalition of Delaware
Immunize Oregon
Indiana Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Iowa Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Iowa Immunizes
Iowa Public Health Association
Kansas Public Health Association
Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Lee County Health Department (Illinois)
Looms For Lupus
Maine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Maine Families for Vaccines
Maine Public Health Association
Maryland Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Massachusetts Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Massachusetts Families for Vaccines
Massachusetts Public Health Alliance
Michigan Public Health Association
Minnesota Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Minnesota Public Health Association
Mississippi Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Montana Families for Vaccines
Montana Nurses Association
Montana Public Health Association
Mount Sinai South Nassau
Nebraska Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
New Hampshire Pediatric Society
New Mexico Pediatric Society
New York Chapter 2, American Academy of Pediatrics
New York Chapter 3, American Academy of Pediatrics
New York State Public Health Association
North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors
North Carolina Pediatric Society
North Carolina Public Health Association
Oregon Families for Vaccines
Oregon Pediatric Society
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner House Calls (New York)
Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Public Health Association of Nebraska
Routt County Public Health (Colorado)
Saul's Light (Louisiana)
Tennessee Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Tennessee Families for Vaccines
Tennessee Public Health Association
The Immunization Partnership
Tiny Transitions Therapy Consulting PLLC (Texas)
Utah Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Vermont Public Health Association
Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Washington Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Washington State Nurses Association
Washington State Public Health Association
West Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Wisconsin Public Health Association
Woodford County Health Department (Illinois)
Israel Baptist Church roll out of the NBCI Immunization Programme
Rev Evans still

Rev. Anthony Evans Kicks off the NBCI Immunization Campaign Videos

Video of the kick off 10:00am Israel Baptist Church service with the NBCI Immunization Campaign kick off. Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, MD, FACP gave the Health Sermon and is interviewed by Rev. Anthony Evans. Israel Baptist Church 1220 N Chester St, Baltimore, MD 21213 January 26, 2025

Watch this service on YouTube!

A shorter version of the video is available here. Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, MD, FACP gives his Health Sermon and is interviewed by Rev. Anthony Evans
Young couple in front of Israel Baptist Church with their copyof 'Immunize Now!'
Family at church with their copy of 'Immunize Now'
Pastor Lawrence Aker III and First Lady Cynthia Aker of Cornerstone Baptist Church with their copy of 'Immunize Now!'
Images from Cornerstone Baptist Church vaccination clinic
Watch this video of the NBCI hosted "Pop-up" vaccination location at Cornerstone Baptist Church 574 Madison Street, Brooklyn, NY. Cornerstone Baptist Church was one of more than 300 churches and cultural centers which have volunteered to house these sites through NY State's Vaccine Equity Task Force.

Watch this video on YouTube!

Rev. Anthony Evans Urges You to Get Vaccinated!

Rev. Anthony Evans delivers a video message from a local CVS pharmacy where he received his flu and Covid-19 immunizations.

In this message he also urges NBCI members and the public to visit the CDC website for the 2025 Immunization Schedules for children, adolescents and adults approved by ACIP and adopted by the CDC Director on October 24, 2025

Watch this video on YouTube!
Immunizations and Black America: A Disparity Gap in Access and Distribution Plus a Healthy Mistrust .pdf 149kb
Routine immunizations have been shown to be one of the best ways to protect your health. When you get vaccinated, you are also protecting the lives of those in your community. Yet, Black Americans are significantly more likely to be affected by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Follow this link to read more...

Percentage of adults ages 19-49 years, high risk groups, who received 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccination, 2018
Non-Hispanic Black Non-Hispanic White Non-Hispanic Black /
Non-Hispanic White Ratio
35.4 43.6 0.8

Percentage of children aged 19 to 35 months who are fully immunized, 2017
Non-Hispanic Black Non-Hispanic White Non-Hispanic Black /
Non-Hispanic White Ratio
66.5 71.5 0.9

NBCI Comprehensive Immunization/Vaccine Confidence Plan Toward Health Equity

Beautiful child looking at mirror Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

Recommendations for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2022

Adults, man and womanAdult Immunization Schedule

Recommendations for ages 19 years or older, United States, 2022

Handsome Black doctorResources for Healthcare Providers

Proud parents of child to be born - Photo by Andre Adjahoe on UnsplashImmunization Schedule for Pregnancy




Photo by Andre Adjahoe on Unsplash
Man, who believe it or not is able to enjoy a vacationImmunization Schedule for Travelers
Flu header

The National Black Church Initiative Comprehensive National Flu Plan for African Americans and Latinos in the COVID-19 Age

.pdf [109kb]

The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) is launching one of the most comprehensive flu programs ever in its history due to the COVID-19 virus.

Our messaging campaign will be targeted at African American and Latino families with an emphasis on but not limited to African American children, pregnant women, the disabled, and the homeless.

National Black Church Initiative National Flu Campaign One Pager .pdf [135kb]
Image of man in bed feeling poorlyWe all are at risk for getting and spreading the flu. If you have asthma or other lung diseases, you are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu.

Flu Risk Factors
Influenza is a very serious illness for anyone at high risk. Certain diseases that place people at high risk include:

  • diabetes or other chronic metabolic disorder
  • morbid obesity
  • diseases (HIV, AIDS) or treatments (steroids, chemotherapy) that suppress immunity

Racial Disparities in Influenza Vaccination .pdf [61kb] lancet cover1
Effect of Race and Ethnicity on Influenza Vaccine Uptake Among Older US Medicare Beneficiaries: A Record-LinkageCohort Study .pdf [842kb]
Salaheddin M Mahmud, Liou Xu, Laura Lee Hall, Gary Puckrein, Edward Thommes, Matthew M Loiacono, Ayman Chit lancet-cover2
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