Changes in seasonal influenza vaccination status: effects on COVID-19 vaccine

Preface

When the COVID-19 vaccine is approved or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the state plays a central role. distribution..The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was recently released guidance About COVID-19 Vaccine Preparation In state and local jurisdictions, state-level involvement and success in vaccine distribution can differ. Still, most, if not all, Americans need to be vaccinated to achieve adequate levels of immunity to COVID-19, and fluctuations in COVID-19 vaccination rates across the country It can significantly hinder efforts to control pandemics. As the state is considering the logistics of unprecedented vaccination campaigns, regular analysis of vaccination rates by state not only sheds light on different intakes across the country, but also has a more targeted approach. It helps to let you know where you may need it. Specifically, we analyzed seasonal influenza vaccination rates for the 2019-2020 influenza season by state and by age, race / ethnicity, and health risk status across states. Data are taken from the CDC’s 2019-20 Influenza Season Vaccination Range Dashboard and are also available at KFF. State Health Facts..

Regular flu shots Recommendation The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization and Implementation (ACIP) targets people over the age of 6 months in the last 10 years, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides insured and uninsured children. , Children’s vaccine programs, and some uninsured adults (but much less).Still, national tariffs are well below healthy people 2030 Target It is 70% and depends on race / ethnicity and age. Looking at the state as a whole, there are also significant differences in race / ethnicity, age, and health.In some cases, it can occur between groups with high influenza vaccination rates priority For COVID-19 vaccines such as older Americans. However, in other states, vaccination rates are low in states already affected by COVID-19, and vaccination is important in some states, such as people of color, especially African Americans. Expressed considerable resistance About the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccine. There are important differences between COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. For example, COVID-19 is much more serious and the federal government has stated that it guarantees that vaccines will be provided free of charge to uninsured people, but these findings show some COVID- 19 Potential challenges in deploying vaccines nationwide.

Changes in overall condition

During the 2019-2020 influenza season, influenza immunization rates varied significantly from state to state, with all states falling below national targets. Across the United States, 52% of the US population (more than 6 months) was vaccinated against the seasonal flu vaccine last season. It ranged from a minimum of 44% in Nevada to a maximum of 61% in Rhode Island. In 12 states, less than half of the population was vaccinated against influenza.In addition, all 50 states and DC fell below US states Healthy people 2030 goals At least 70% of the population is vaccinated against the seasonal flu vaccine (Figure 1). There was also regional variation. The rate was highest in the northeast (57%), followed by the Midwest (54%), the South (52%), and finally the West (51%) (Figure 2).

Race / ethnicity

Achieving a high COVID-19 vaccination rate among people of color is especially important as they bear a heavy burden. Unbalanced burden It is the cause of the disease and without high immunization rates in all communities, it is unlikely to reach herd immunity. Previous KFF analysis Percentages of influenza vaccination rates at the national level show persistent gaps and racial disparities among adults, among black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska native adults compared to their white counterparts. The vaccination rate was low.Another analysis Similar findings were reported for older (65+) black and Hispanic adults compared to white adults.

Analysis of influenza vaccination rates by state and race / ethnicity provides additional insight into such fluctuations. Specifically, we examined the proportion of all individuals over 6 months by race / ethnicity of white, black, and Hispanic people. The data could not be further categorized by race / ethnicity and age, and some states could not be included due to the unreliability of the data (Appendix 1).

Influenza vaccination rates were below target levels in almost all states across racial and ethnic groups. Only DC achieved a vaccination rate that exceeded the 70% target (71%) for whites. However, the percentage of blacks was well below the target of 44%. No state achieved the target vaccination levels for black or Hispanic people.

The range of immunization rates by state was similar between racial and ethnic groups, but the overall rate of black and Hispanic people was lower than that of whites. Specifically, influenza vaccination rates ranged from 30% in Nevada to 60% in black Nebraska, 37% in Florida to 62% in New Hampshire for Hispanics. For Caucasians, the proportion ranged from 45% in Idaho to 71% in DC (Figure 3).

In most states, blacks and Hispanics had lower influenza vaccination rates than whites, but these differences varied from state to state. Consistent with previous analyzes showing low influenza vaccination rates in adults, we found that black and hispanic people were less likely to be vaccinated against influenza than white people (55). 46% and 47% compared to%). However, these differences vary from state to state (Figure 4).

Blacks have lower influenza vaccination rates than whites in 36 states, the highest in DC (44% vs. 71%), Nevada (30% vs. 47%), and Maryland (49% vs. 64%). There was a gap. , And New Jersey (45% vs. 59%). Blacks had higher vaccination rates than whites in only one state (Oklahoma, 58% compared to 54%).

Hispanics had lower influenza vaccination rates than whites in 40 states. The largest gaps were Florida (37% vs. 50%), Connecticut (54% vs. 64%), and Michigan (41% vs. 52%). Hispanics had higher vaccination rates than whites in seven states. (Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Wyoming).
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age

In most states, influenza vaccination rates were highest in the elderly, followed by children, and lowest in the non-elderly (Appendix 2)... As the state develops a COVID-19 vaccination program, age The increased risk of COVID-19 can be an important factor in determining priority groups For the elderly.. Throughout the state, vaccination rates for the elderly aged 65 and over ranged from 54% in Alaska to 79% in North Carolina. A total of 30 states achieved or exceeded the 70% Healthy People 2030 target (Figure 5).

Coverage for children aged 6 months to 17 years ranged from 52% in Mississippi to 78% in Rhode Island. Ten states and DCs have achieved or exceeded the national target rate of 70% among children. The rates were lowest among non-elderly people aged 18-64, ranging from 33% in Florida to 52% in Rhode Island. No state has reached the goal of 70% of this population (Figure 6).

Health risk status

Adults with comorbidities were more likely to be vaccinated against influenza than adults without such conditions, but the proportion was still well below national targets in all states... Like the elderly, Individuals under the age of 65 with certain underlying illnesses are at increased risk Of serious illness from COVID-19.So they are Priority group For the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine. Overall, during the 2019-2020 season, non-elderly people with certain basic health conditions were more likely to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine (51%). State (Appendix 3). The proportion of adults with comorbidities varied widely from state to state, from 38% in Florida to 61% in Connecticut and Vermont. Influenza vaccination rates were much lower for adults without underlying health, ranging from 31% in Nevada to 50% in Rhode Island (Figures 7 and 8)...

Discussion

Overall, influenza vaccination rates were low nationally last season, well below national targets, and there was significant variability between states and groups. Fares were highest in the northeast and lowest in the west. In most states, the rate was highest among the elderly, followed by children, and lowest among the non-elderly. The rates were also highest in most white states compared to black and Hispanic people, and the lowest rates in black and Hispanic people were lower than those of whites. Adults with comorbidities also had a higher incidence than adults without illness.

There are several potential factors that can affect influenza vaccination rates across the state. For example, some groups, especially people of color, have low insurance coverage. Lack of dedicated vaccination programs for uninsured and uninsured adults compared to children.Different access to health care; relatively A few states that require influenza vaccines; The difference of Financing Vaccine infrastructure by state. Changes in the level of concern and misunderstanding About the safety, side effects, and efficacy of the vaccine. There is an important difference between COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, COVID-19 is much more serious, and public acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine may differ from that of the influenza vaccine. However, these findings suggest that there may be significant challenges in using the COVID-19 vaccine to achieve fairness of distribution and a sufficient level of immunity in the United States.

Regular vaccination, especially for the population most affected by COVID-19 and likely to have the greatest barriers to vaccination, as the state and other stakeholders plan to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. Targeting states that are already disproportionately low in coverage is an important way to increase success. Addressing a variety of barriers, including potential access barriers and cost concerns, is critical to vaccination efforts, especially among uninsured individuals. It is also important to address concerns about vaccine safety and potential side effects, especially among black Americans.Recently released KFF / Undefeated Investigation Only 17% of black Americans receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it is determined to be safe and free to obtain, mainly because of distrust of safety and the health system, compared to 37% of white Americans. I answered that I would definitely inoculate.