KEYWORDS:
Key Words: Influenza, Pneumococcal, Vaccination, Elderly, States

BACKGROUND:
Background: Influenza was responsible for an average of >18,000 deaths per year from 1972-1995 among people aged greater or equal to 65 in the United States, and pneumococcal disease accounted for >3,400 deaths in this population in 1998. Healthy People 2010 objectives include increasing influenza and pneumococcal vaccination levels to 90% among all persons aged 65 and older.

OBJECTIVE:
Objectives: To assess progress towards meeting this national health objective, monitor state-specific trends in influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage, and examine racial/ethnic disparities in coverage.

METHOD:
Methods: Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed using SUDAAN. State-specific point estimates and 95% confidence intervals of coverage prevalence were calculated, and racial/ethnic disparities were examined by multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for other risk factors.

RESULT:
Results: Influenza vaccination coverage decreased from 1999 to 2001 in 27 of 52 reporting areas, and by 2.0% nationally, from 66.9% to 64.9%. Pneumococcal coverage increased in all but one reporting area, from 54.1% to 60.0% overall. Non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic whites to receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccination.

CONCLUSION:
Conclusions: Significant increases in vaccination coverage need to be made in the 65 and older population to meet 2010 objectives and to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in coverage.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Learning Objectives: To understand current trends in influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage and to recognize the racial/ethnic disparity that exists.