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

• Published in: American journal of infection control 2014-07, Vol.42 (7), p.763-769
• Main Authors: Lu, Peng-Jun, MD, PhD, O'Halloran, Alissa, MSPH, Bryan, Leah, MPH, Kennedy, Erin D., DVM, MPH, Ding, Helen, MD, MSPH, Graitcer, Samuel B., MD, Santibanez, Tammy A., PhD, Meghani, Ankita, MSPH, Singleton, James A., PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; Biological and medical sciences; Continental Population Groups; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Ethnic Groups; Female; General aspects; Healthcare Disparities; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunization; Infection Control; Infectious Disease; Infectious diseases; Influenza; Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Minority & ethnic groups; National Health Interview Survey; Public health; Racial differences; Survival analysis; United States; Vaccination - trends; Vaccination - utilization; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.03.021

Background Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months. The objective of this study was 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 Kaplan-Meier survival analysis 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 subgroups, with smaller disparities observed for adults age 18-49 years compared with 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 subgroups based on the NHIS (test for trend, P < .05). Coverage gaps between racial/ethnic minorities and non-Hispanic whites persisted at similar levels from the 2007-08 through the 2011-12 seasons, with similar results from the 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 these disparities.