Influenza vaccination coverage among children and adults - United States, 2008-09 influenza season

Abstract

Before 2008, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) had recommended annual vaccination for influenza for persons aged >or=50 years, 18-49 years at higher risk for influenza complications, and 6 months--4 years. In 2008, ACIP expanded the recommendations to include all children aged 5--18 years, beginning with the 2008--09 season, if feasible, but no later than the 2009--10 season. This expansion added 26 million children and adolescents to groups recommended for routine influenza vaccination. To assess vaccination uptake among children and adults during the 2008-09 influenza season, CDC analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 19 states, which represent 43% of the U.S. population. This report summarizes the results of the analysis, which indicated that reported influenza vaccination coverage of >or=1 doses was 40.9% for ages 6-23 months, 32.0% for 2-4 years, and 20.8% for 5-17 years. Among adults, reported coverage was 32.1% for persons aged 18--49 years with high-risk conditions, 42.3% for persons 50--64 years, and 67.2% for persons >or=65 years. These results are consistent with previous studies that have found no significant increases in vaccination coverage for any of these age groups over previous seasons. These 2008--09 season estimates provide a baseline for assessing implementation of the 2008 recommendation for school-aged children. Attaining higher coverage rates likely will require additional vaccination programs in schools and expanded vaccination services in provider offices.