Prevalence and Predictors of Influenza Vaccination Among Adults with High-Risk Conditions, United States, 2019

Abstract

Introduction: Influenza could be associated with illnesses, severe complications, hospitalizations, and deaths among adults with high-risk medical conditions. Influenza vaccination reduces the risks and complications associated with influenza infection in high-risk conditions. We assessed the prevalence and predictors of influenza vaccination in a national sample of adults with high-risk medical conditions in the United States. Methods: Using the nationally representative National Health Interview Survey of 2019, we estimated the prevalence of influenza vaccination among adults with high-risk conditions. We tested the associations between receipt of vaccination and socio-demographic predictors. Results: Out of 15,258 adults with high-risk conditions, 56% reported receiving an influenza vaccine over the previous 12 months. Multivariable regressions show that respondents from older age groups, females, married, higher annual family income, having health insurance and those with more than two high-risk conditions are more likely to receive the vaccine. However, adults from non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity and living in the Southern census region are less likely to receive the vaccination. Education levels and living in a metro show no associations with vaccination status. Conclusions: State authorities and providers have important roles in sensitizing and reminding individuals with high-risk conditions to receive timely vaccination. Affordability needs to be enhanced for influenza vaccination including better insurance coverage and reduced co-payment.