Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to state the most salient reasons for vaccination and non-vaccination among the elderly and describe how reasons for vaccination and non-vaccination differ by race/ethnicity.


Background:
Influenza vaccination can reduce up to 60% influenza and pneumonia-related hospitalizations and prevent up to 80% of deaths among the elderly, yet coverage among this population is suboptimal, particularly among minority populations.

Objectives:
To identify common reasons for vaccination and non vaccination among the elderly by race/ethnicity.

Methods:
We used data collected by the 2004 National Adult Immunization Survey of adults >65 years of age (n=3862). The data were weighted to account for non-response and population undercounts.

Results:
Influenza vaccination differed significantly by race/ethnicity (whites, 77%; blacks, 54%; Hispanics, 55%, p<0.01). When asked to identify the main reason for vaccination, the most salient reason across all race groups was ‘did not want to get the flu', differing by race/ethnicity (whites, 40%, Hispanics, 31%, blacks, 26%, p<0.01). While the most salient reason for non-vaccination across all race groups was concern about getting sick from the influenza vaccine (whites, 27%, Hispanics, 20%, blacks, 35%), to have experienced side effects from a previous vaccination was the only reason given among non-vaccinated respondents that differed statistically by race/ethnicity (whites, 8%, blacks, 9%, Hispanics, 3%, p=0.04).

Conclusions:
Whites were more likely to report getting vaccinated to prevent influenza and may be more motivated because of this belief. Blacks on the other hand, may be less motivated to be vaccinated because of concerns about getting sick from the vaccine. Differences in beliefs that influenza vaccine prevents influenza or cause sickness may be an important contribution to immunization disparity among the elderly.