WIC Works Resource System
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Give Your Community a Boost!
Every April, the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) observes National Minority Health Month (NMHM) to highlight the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities and reducing health disparities. This year's theme, Give Your Community a Boost!, focuses on the continued importance of COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, as one of the strongest tools to help end the pandemic that has disproportionately affected communities of color. Learn more about the impact that COVID-19 is having on racial and ethnic minority communities, which underscores the need for these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain vulnerable populations, including some racial and ethnic minority groups, have a higher likelihood of vaccine hesitancy. Learn about the U.S. Surgeon General's Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation which provides guidance and resources to help stop the spread of COVID-19 misinformation in communities.
As part of WIC's role as an adjunct to good health care during critical times of growth and development, WIC staff can share up-to-date information with WIC participants.
Using the NMHM resources, including shareable graphics and social media posts, WIC staff can encourage participants to:
- Find COVID-19 vaccine information, including FAQs and recommendations for specific groups,
- Practice COVID-19 safety measures, including wearing a mask and social distancing,
- Get eligible family members fully vaccinated, and
- Stay up to date with vaccines.
Pregnancy and the COVID-19 Vaccine
Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. Data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
Those who are pregnant and have concerns should talk with their healthcare provider. Learn more at COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding and COVID-19 – Breastfeeding and Pregnancy.
Breastfeeding and the COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause COVID-19 infection in anyone, including the mother or the baby, and vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 in people who are breastfeeding. Recent reports have shown that breastfeeding people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breastmilk, which could help protect their babies. Therefore, breastfeeding individuals may choose to be vaccinated.
Those who are breastfeeding and have concerns about getting vaccinated should talk with their healthcare provider. Learn more about vaccination recommendations for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Children and the COVID-19 Vaccine
The CDC recommends children ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine
to help protect against COVID-19.
While COVID-19 tends to be milder in children compared with adults, it can make children very sick and cause children to be hospitalized.
Minority Health Related Materials from OMH
In addition to a Health Disparities Report that includes information about the state-specific initiatives developed to address health disparities along with State Minority Health Contact information, find:
- A Healthy People 2020 Health Disparities Data Widget to access and better understand health disparities information
- A Knowledge Center where you can search the nation’s largest collection of resources (including consumer health materials in more than 40 languages) related to the health status of racial and ethnic minority populations
- Free programs designed to help you provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services
Other Resources
- CDC's Minority Health page offers resources and links focusing on LGBT health and wellness, a Conversations in Equity blog devoted to increasing awareness of health inequities, and more, including:
- Access to a quarterly electronic newsletter entitled Health Equity Matters and
- A free health literacy training course (no-cost account registration required).
- CDC also offers Health Disparities and Strategies Reports – reports highlighting effective public health programs that have reduced disparities.
- HHS offers Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Maternal Health Care (CLAS) – free maternal health care cultural competency e-learning program that targets understanding, respecting, and responding to experiences, values, and beliefs.
