Trends in racial/ethnic disparities in influenza vaccination coverage among adults during the 2007-08 through 2011-12 seasons

Abstract

Background Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons ≥6 months. The objective of this study is to assess trends in racial/ethnic disparities in influenza vaccination coverage among adults in the United States. Methods We analyzed data from the 2007-2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis procedure to assess influenza vaccination coverage by age, presence of medical conditions, and racial/ethnic groups during the 2007-08 through 2011-12 seasons. Results During the 2011-12 season, influenza vaccination coverage was significantly lower among non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites among most of the adult sub-groups, with smaller disparities observed for adults 18-49 years compared to other age groups. Vaccination coverage for non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic adults increased significantly from the 2007-08 through the 2011-12 season for most of the adult sub-groups based on NHIS (test for trend: p<0.05). Coverage gaps between racial/ethnic minorities and non-Hispanic white persisted at similar levels from the 2007-08 through the 2011-12 season, with similar results from NHIS and BRFSS. Conclusions Influenza vaccination coverage among most racial/ethnic groups increased from the 2007-08 through the 2011-12 seasons, but substantial racial and ethnic disparities remained in most age groups. Targeted efforts are needed to improve coverage and reduce disparities.

Trends in Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Among US Nursing Home Residents, 2006-2014

“…Long-standing differences in both influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage have been reported between community-dwelling black and white persons ≥65 years, even after adjustment for access to care and other socio-economic factors. 33–37 These differences have been attributed to resistant attitudes and beliefs about vaccination, fewer vaccine-seeking behaviors, poorer provider communication, and less effective provider recommendations among blacks. 34,38–39 In the current study, while vaccine refusal was the most common reason for non-vaccination in white and non-white residents, disparities in access to vaccination likely played a role in lower vaccination coverage among non-white residents, as these residents were more likely than unvaccinated white residents to report not being offered influenza and pneumococcal vaccination.…”

“…Lower influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage has been reported among community-dwelling Hispanics aged ≥65 years compared with their non-Hispanic white counterparts. 33–35,37,40,41 Unlike non-Hispanic black adults aged ≥65 years, studies have found that Hispanics aged ≥65 years were less likely than non-Hispanic whites to report resistant attitudes toward vaccination, but more likely to report that they did not know these vaccines were recommended for them, suggesting that poor communication or language barriers might contribute to lower vaccination coverage in this population. 34,38 …”

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Quality of Health Care

“…Adults show generally similar immunization patterns, with the highest rates among non-Latino whites (96,152). Influenza disparities partly reflect differences in attitudes toward influenza vaccines (154) and active vaccination seeking (59).…”

Reasons given for not receiving an influenza vaccination, 2011–12 influenza season, United States

“…These rates remain below the national Healthy People 2020 target of 70% influenza vaccination coverage for adults and children [3]. Furthermore, racial/ethnic differences in influenza vaccination coverage have been persistent, with coverage being even lower for some racial/ethnic groups [4,5]. …”