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Childhood influenza immunization rates on the rise
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Influenza vaccination coverage among children improved during the 2010-2011 influenza season compared with the 2009-2010 season, the CDC reported.
Overall, vaccination increased 2% from the 2009-2010 influenza season, which researchers attributed to the improvements in coverage among children. However, one of the benchmarks outlined in Healthy People 2020 — to increase coverage to 70% among children aged 6 months to 17 years and adults 18 years and older — was not met.
Combined data from the National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to estimate the proportion of those aged at least 6 months who received influenza vaccination between 2009 and 2010. Vaccination rates from 2010 to 2011 were derived from the National Immunization Survey. The comparisons between the two influenza seasons used estimates for the recommended trivalent vaccines.
Vaccination coverage increased significantly among Hispanic (46.9% to 55.1%), non-Hispanic white (43.2% to 48.5%) and black children (37% to 50.8%), and among children of other or multiple races (49.7% to 55.6%). Contrary to past influenza seasons, estimates suggest that coverage rates were greater among Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander children and among children of other or multiple races.
Coverage among adults remained relatively stable during the two influenza seasons (40.4% in 2009-2010, and 40.5% in 2010-2011), according to the CDC. However, there was a decrease in coverage among adults aged at least 65 years (69.6% in 2009-2010 to 66.6% in 2010-2011).
Overall, coverage increased from 41.2% to 43%, driven primarily by the 7.3% increase in vaccination among children.
"Efforts to improve coverage are ongoing," the researchers wrote. "The federally funded Vaccines for Children program provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. Community demand for influenza vaccination can be increased by client reminder and recall systems."
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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