Study: Racial Gap Exists in Adult Vaccinations

According to a new report issued by the AARP, white adults over the age of 65 are more likely than African-American and Hispanic adults in the same age group to receive annual flu and one-time pneumonia vaccines. Medicare provides full coverage for both vaccines to all program recipients, regardless of race. Overall immunization rates for all races still fall short of the 2010 Healthy People initiative's goal of 90 percent for flu and pneumonia vaccination.

According to the study 67 percent of white adults received the flu vaccine in 2004, compared to 55 percent of Hispanic adults and just 45 percent of African American adults. Pneumonia immunization rates reveal an even larger gap between racial groups. In 2004 on 34 percent of Hispanics and 39 percent of African Americans reported receiving the pneumonia vaccine, compared to 61 percent of white adults. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends an annual flu shot for all adults over age 50 and a one-time pneumonia shot for adults over the age of 65.

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, kills approximately 36,000 people each year and is responsible for more than 200,000 hospitalizations annually. Researchers believe that there are many reasons for the low number of people getting vaccinated against the easily prevnetable respiratory illnesses. Some of the most common reasons researchers found are a lack of awareness about the need for the vaccinations, fear that the vaccines will cause severe illness and few patient initiated vaccine related visits to the doctor.

The federal and state governments have implemented programs aimed at increasing the number of older adults receiving the flue and pneumonia vaccines. In 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued rules requiring all long-term care facilities to offer flu and pneumonia vaccines to their residents. All refusals must be documented proof is required that residents and their legal guardians were educated on the benefits of the vaccines.

States have also created their own initiatives aimed at closing the racial immunization gap. Minnesota's "There Is a Balm" program targets faith-based organizations to raise vaccine awareness among African Americans. The program works with clinics in the area to provide free immunizations at 20 churches around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Illinois has launched a project in Chicago to take vaccinations out of the doctors office and into more accessible places such as churches and park districts.

The study notes that there are strategies in place that will improve overall compliance with vaccine recommendations, as well as targeted programs aimed at closing the gap between white, African American and Hispanic adults.

Source: AARP Report: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Influenza and Pneumococcal
Immunization Rates among Medicare Beneficiaries (http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/health/ib83_disparities.pdf)