Flu shot rates seen too low in U.S.




Home \| Elder Rights \| Health \| Pension Watch \| Rural Aging \| Armed Conflict \| Aging Watch at the UN

	SEARCH	SUBSCRIBE
			Mission \| Contact Us \| Internships \| Donate Now!

back

Flu shot rates seen too low in U.S.

From Reuters Health
October 16, 2003

Despite recent US guidelines recommending influenza vaccination for adults age 50 to 64, in addition to those 65 and older, only about a third of individuals in this age group were vaccinated in 2002.

Even among older adults, coverage was inadequate, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.

The CDC analyzed data from the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, conducted in the 50 states, the District of Columbia , Guam , Puerto Rico , and the US Virgin Islands. Drs. P. M. Wortley and N. Jain report the findings in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Respondents were asked, "During the past 12 months, have you had a flu shot?"

Among those age 65 and older, 66 percent had been vaccinated against influenza. In contrast, only 36 percent of those ages 50 to 64 received flu shots.

Subjects were also asked "Have you ever had a pneumonia vaccine?" which is recommended for adults 65 years of age and up. Only 62 percent said they had.

For each age group and vaccine type, whites were more likely than blacks and Hispanics to answer that they had been vaccinated. These racial differences could not be explained by variations in education level, gender, self-reported health, diabetes status, asthma history, and regular source of health care, the authors note.

According to the report, influenza vaccine supplies are sufficient and on schedule for vaccination during October and November.

Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, October 17, 2003 .