Influenza vaccination rate highest last season

Last year, more people received the influenza vaccine compared with any other season, according to a presentation from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

“Despite substantial progress, we can do even more to make our country healthier through prevention,” said Howard K. Koh, MD, assistant secretary for health at the US Department of Health and Human Services. “Flu vaccination should represent a simple investment we make year in and year out to maximize the gift of health.”

Howard K. Koh

During the 2012-2013 influenza season, coverage for children aged 6 months to 17 years was 56.6%, an increase of 5.1% from the 2011-2012 season. Coverage for adults was 41.5%, an increase of 2.7% from the 2011-2012 season. Overall, 45% of the US population aged at least 6 months was vaccinated during the 2012-2013 season.

Although rates were high overall, there was a 23% gap from the highest statewide rate of 56.7% to the lowest of 34.1%.

Last season, 51% of pregnant women were vaccinated. When clinicians recommended the vaccine and offered it in their office, 70.5% received the vaccine.

“Patients also look to you,” said Anne Schuchat, MD, assistant surgeon general of the US Public Health Service and director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “Data show that a personal recommendation makes a big difference to patients.”

Anne Schuchat

The number of health care personnel getting the vaccine also has risen. Last year, 72% received the vaccine, with physicians receiving the vaccine at the highest rate (92.3%), followed by pharmacists (89.1%), nurse practitioners/physician assistants (88.5%), nurses (84.8%), other clinical personnel (68.6%) and nonclinical personnel (64.8%).

“If you are around people at high risk for flu complication, you need to get vaccinated,” Schuchat said. “And nowhere is this need clearer than in our nation’s hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities.”

This year, there also will be a four-strain influenza vaccine added to the list of available options, and about 135 million doses will be available.

William Schaffner

“We have more types of vaccines available than ever before, and there are one or more options that are right for everyone,” said William Schaffner, MD, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University.

The available vaccines will include:

The standard inject vaccine;
A high-dose version for adults aged at least 65 years;
A cell-culture version;
An egg-free version for adults aged 18 to 49 years;
A nasal spray for those aged 2 to 49 years; and
Four-strain influenza vaccines.

Although a four-strain vaccine will be available this year, Schaffner said being vaccinated is important and “no one should skip vaccination if his or her first choice is not available.”

Paul Biddinger, MD, medical director for emergency preparedness at Massachusetts General Hospital, in agreeing with Schaffner, stressed the importance of an influenza vaccination.

“Last year started with an especially early season with a large number of severe cases presenting together over a short time, but every year we see many patients in our emergency department who struggle to fight off influenza,” he said. “Don’t wait until you hear about an outbreak in your area. Get vaccinated now to protect yourself, those around you, and your community.”

For more information:

CDC. MMWR. 2013;62:781-786.

CDC MMWR. 2013;62:787-792.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.