Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to understand which socio-demographic factors measured by the NHIS 2000-2004 contribute to low influenza vaccination levels among Hispanic persons aged 65+ years.

Background:
Historically, influenza vaccination levels among persons aged 65+ years in the U.S. have been lower among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites. Starting in 2000 the gap between these groups widened, mainly due to a decline among Hispanics. The decline was primarily observed among Hispanics interviewed in Spanish.

Objectives:
To determine factors associated with lower influenza vaccination coverage among Hispanics aged 65+ years.

Methods:
NHIS uses a face-to-face interview among a representative sample from the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population. Among sampled households, one adult is randomly selected in each family. Data from the 2004 NHIS (n=36579 households) were used in preliminary unweighted univariate and multivariable analyses. Factors included were country of origin, time in U.S., education, number of doctor visits in past year and income.

Results:
Preliminary results showed that Hispanic persons aged 65+ years who were interviewed in Spanish (n=216) and identified themselves as Cubans/Cuban-Americans (n=77) were associated with lower influenza vaccination coverage (OR=2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.5) compared with other Hispanics interviewed in Spanish. The association remained significant after adjusting for other factors in the logistic regression model. (Similar weighted analyses on the combined data from 2000-2004 will be conducted and presented.)

Conclusions:
Lower influenza vaccination coverage among Hispanic persons aged >=65 years who were interviewed in Spanish was primarily observed among Cubans/Cuban Americans compared with other Hispanics. Culturally appropriate interventions need to be tailored to more effectively increase influenza vaccination among this group.