Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
• Describe current influenza vaccination rates among the elderly in Florida
• Understand factors associated with vaccine compliance


Background:
The Healthy People 2010 target for influenza vaccination among the elderly is 90%;however, the rate in the state of Florida consistently falls below this goal. The purpose of this study was to describe vaccination compliance in this population.

Objectives:
• To describe influenza vaccination compliance among Florida's elderly population
• To determine predictors of influenza vaccination and examine differences by race, socioeconomic status, health status, and health behaviors
• To examine regional differences in vaccination rates


Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2002 County Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, a random-digit dialed telephone survey of adults in Florida's 67 counties. Odds ratios were used to assess associations between influenza vaccination and key variables. Multiple logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis was used to examine vaccination rates by county.

Results:
Fifty six (56%) of respondents had received an influenza vaccination in the previous 12 months. A number of variables were predictors of influenza vaccination in bivariate analysis, including age ≥70; utilization of preventive health screenings, White Non-Hispanic race/ethnicity; being married or widowed; income ≥$15,000; lower health status; being a former smoker; and having 3 or more chronic medical conditions. In multiple logistic regression, the following variables remained significant: age ≥70, less than excellent health status, and utilization of preventive health screenings.

Conclusions:
Interventions that target younger, healthier seniors are crucial for improving Florida's vaccination rates. Additionally, efforts to reach seniors who do not traditionally access the health care system for preventive health services may be necessary.