In Minneapolis–St 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. © 2019, Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health.

Community health immigrant and minority health influenza vaccination faith-based

vulnerable population immigrant minority health medically uninsured health promotion Influenza, Human Communication Community Health Services community care minority group Continental Population Groups human ancestry group interpersonal communication middle aged Ethnic Groups ethnic group controlled study Aged language Minnesota season Young Adult Humans Influenza Vaccines migrant influenza vaccine Adolescent influenza vaccination male Emigrants and Immigrants Minority Groups preschool child Socioeconomic Factors Infant preventive health service Child, Preschool female socioeconomics leadership Interinstitutional Relations Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article organization and management program evaluation adult Immunization Programs influenza Community-Institutional Relations attitude to health public relations public health Child