Uptake of Influenza Vaccination and Missed Opportunities Among Adults with High-Risk Conditions, United States, 2013

Abstract

Background Since 1960, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended influenza vaccination for adults with certain high-risk conditions because of increased risk for complications from influenza infection. We assessed national influenza vaccination among persons 18-64 years with high-risk conditions. Methods We analyzed data from the 2012 and 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis procedure was used to estimate the cumulative proportion of influenza vaccination among adults 18-64 years with high-risk conditions. Potential missed opportunities for influenza vaccination were also evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression and predictive marginal analyses were conducted to identify factors independently associated with vaccination. Results Overall, 39.9 million adults 18-64 years (18.9%) had at least one high-risk condition. For adults 18-64 years with high-risk conditions, overall influenza vaccination coverage was 49.5%. Coverage among adults 50-64 years was significantly higher compared with those 18-49 years (59.3% vs. 39.0%; p<0.05). Among adults 18-64 years, coverage was 46.2% for those with chronic lung diseases, 50.5% for those with heart disease, 58.0% for those with diabetes, 62.5% for those with renal disease, and 56.4% for those with cancer. Overall, 90.1% reported at least one visit to a health care setting where vaccination could have been provided. Among adults 18-64 years with high-risk conditions, older age, being female, Hispanic ethnicity or Asian race, having one or more physician visits, a regular physician for health care, health insurance, and having ever received pneumococcal vaccination were independently associated with a higher likelihood of influenza vaccination. Being widowed/divorced/separated or never married and not being employed were independently associated with a lower likelihood of influenza vaccination Conclusions Influenza vaccination coverage varies substantially by age and high-risk conditions but remains low. Approximately 50% of those with high-risk conditions remain unvaccinated. Healthcare providers should ensure they routinely assess influenza vaccination status, recommend and offer vaccines to those with high-risk conditions.

Knowledge of influenza vaccination recommendation and early vaccination uptake during the 2015–16 season among adults aged ≥18 years – United States

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“…Increased influenza vaccination coverage among adult populations is needed. Strategies to increase vaccination coverage include assessment of patients’ vaccination indications by healthcare providers and routine recommendation and offer of needed vaccines to adults, implementation of client reminder-recall systems, and use of provider reminders for vaccination [22,25–30]. …”

Using the 4 pillars™ practice transformation program to increase adult influenza vaccination and reduce missed opportunities in a randomized cluster trial

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