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CDC reports influenza vaccine coverage too low
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The CDC recently reported that only 40% of people in the United States are currently vaccinated against influenza.
“We are glad to see that people are making the decision to protect themselves and their families from flu, but coverage is still low and we urge people to get vaccinated if they haven’t yet,” Nancy Messonnier, MD, director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a press release. “We have a tool that is proven to prevent flu illness and hospitalization, but millions of people are not taking advantage of it.”
Of those who were vaccinated as of early November, 37% were children aged 6 months to 17 years, and 41% were adults aged 18 years and older. The CDC found that among pregnant women, influenza vaccination increased six percentage points from last season to 47% — but still more than half remain unvaccinated. They also saw vaccination among health care providers was 69%, with no increase from last season. Coverage among health care personnel working in long-term care facilities increased five percentage points to 69% last year, but is the lowest among all health care provider groups, and early estimates show they will remain the lowest.
“Too many people are unprotected,” Messonnier added.
An infographic developed by the CDC underscoring the benefits of influenza vaccination.
Source: CDC
Another CDC report explained the impact of influenza vaccine during 2015-2016 season to highlight the benefits of vaccination, the burden of disease and missed opportunities to prevent illness through vaccination. Last season, they estimated that there were 25 million influenza illnesses and 310,000 associated hospitalizations in the U.S., but if vaccination rates were 5% higher, 500,000 influenza illnesses and 6,000 influenza-related hospitalizations could have been averted.
The CDC also reported that the predominant influenza virus this year — H3N2 — is more severe for young children and people aged 65 years and older. They found vaccination levels were similar to those from last season; however, they detected a three-percentage point decrease in vaccine coverage among people aged 50 years and older compared with last year. Although vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza, the CDC also recommends the use of antiviral drugs as a secondary precaution to combat the disease, especially for people at higher risk for serious influenza complications or those who are severely ill with the disease.
“About a third of peoples ages 50 to 64 have medical conditions that put them at high risk of serious flu complications; and we know that declining immune function puts people 65 and older at high risk,” Messonnier said in the release. “While flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, it’s especially important that people in high-risk groups get vaccinated.” – by Savannah Demko
References:
CDC. Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report. 2016-2017 Influenza Season Week 48 ending December 3, 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm. Accessed December 14, 2016.
Rolfes MA, et al. Estimated Influenza Illnesses, Medical Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths Averted by Vaccination in the United States. December 9, 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/2015-16.htm. Accessed December 14, 2016.
Disclosure: Messonnier reports no relevant financial disclosures.