Ray M Merrill1, John D Beard. 1. Department of Health Science, College of Health and Human Performance, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84604, USA. Ray_Merrill@byu.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study presents current patterns of influenza vaccination among adults in the United States according to selected demographic factors, chronic diseases, and pregnancy status. MATERIAL/ METHODS: Analyses are based on cross-sectional survey data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2005, 2006, and 2007. RESULTS: The percentage vaccinated with the flu shot significantly increased over the three study years (26%, 32%, and 37%, respectively). The percentage vaccinated using the flu spray remained near one. Levels of influenza vaccination significantly differed among racial/ethnic groups. Among men, the percentage vaccinated with the flu shot was 32% for whites, 27% for blacks, and 21% for Hispanics. Corresponding percentages for women were 37, 26, and 22. Flu vaccination also significantly increased with age, education, income, healthcare coverage, and presence of chronic disease. A higher percentage of pregnant women in the age range 18-44 were vaccinated than non-pregnant women (24% vs. 20% with the flu shot; 0.7% vs. 1.0% with the flu spray). CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination levels among adults remain lower than the Healthy People 2010 influenza vaccination objectives.
BACKGROUND: This study presents current patterns of influenza vaccination among adults in the United States according to selected demographic factors, chronic diseases, and pregnancy status. MATERIAL/ METHODS: Analyses are based on cross-sectional survey data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2005, 2006, and 2007. RESULTS: The percentage vaccinated with the flu shot significantly increased over the three study years (26%, 32%, and 37%, respectively). The percentage vaccinated using the flu spray remained near one. Levels of influenza vaccination significantly differed among racial/ethnic groups. Among men, the percentage vaccinated with the flu shot was 32% for whites, 27% for blacks, and 21% for Hispanics. Corresponding percentages for women were 37, 26, and 22. Flu vaccination also significantly increased with age, education, income, healthcare coverage, and presence of chronic disease. A higher percentage of pregnant women in the age range 18-44 were vaccinated than non-pregnant women (24% vs. 20% with the flu shot; 0.7% vs. 1.0% with the flu spray). CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination levels among adults remain lower than the Healthy People 2010 influenza vaccination objectives.
Authors: Maria E Lorenzo; Andrea Hodgson; Dionne P Robinson; Jenifer B Kaplan; Andrew Pekosz; Sabra L Klein Journal: Vaccine Date: 2011-10-06 Impact factor: 3.641