Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage among persons aged > or =65 years and persons aged 18-64 years with diabetes or asthma--United States, 2003.

Vaccination of persons at risk for complications from influenza and pneumococcal disease is a key public health strategy for preventing associated morbidity and mortality in the United States. Risk factors include older age and medical conditions that increase the risk for complications from infections. During the 1990-1999 influenza seasons, more than 32,000 deaths each year among persons aged > or =65 years were attributed to complications from influenza infection. National health objectives for 2010 call for 90% influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage among noninstitutionalized persons aged > or =65 years and 60% coverage among noninstitutionalized persons aged 18-64 years who have risk factors (e.g., diabetes or asthma) for complications from infections. To estimate influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage among these populations, CDC analyzed data from the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that 1) influenza vaccination levels among adults aged 18-64 with diabetes or asthma, 2) pneumococcal vaccination levels among adults aged 18-64 years with diabetes, and 3) influenza and pneumococcal vaccination levels among adults aged > or =65 years all were below levels targeted in the national health objectives for 2010. Moreover, vaccination coverage levels varied among states for both vaccines and both age groups. Innovative approaches and adequate, reliable supplies of vaccine are needed to increase vaccination coverage, particularly among adults with high-risk conditions.