Estimated influenza vaccination coverage among adults and children--United States, September 1-November 30, 2004.

Because of the unexpected reduction in the amount of available inactivated influenza vaccine for the 2004--05 influenza season, on October 5, 2004, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that the vaccine be reserved for persons in certain priority groups and asked others to defer or forego vaccination. To assess the use of influenza vaccine and the primary reasons reported for not receiving vaccine, beginning November 1, questions were added to the ongoing Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. This report analyzes data collected during December 1--11 on self-reported vaccination during September 1--November 30, which indicated that persons in nonpriority groups had largely deferred vaccination and that, among unvaccinated adults in priority groups, one fourth tried to get vaccine but were unable to do so. Vaccination coverage was suboptimal for persons in all assessed priority groups. Because influenza activity peaks in February or later in most years, persons in priority groups should continue to seek vaccination.