Racial disparities in receipt of influenza and pneumococcus vaccinations among US nursing-home residents

Abstract

Objectives: We examined racial disparities in receipt and documentation of influenza and pneumococcus vaccinations among nursing-home residents.

Methods: We performed secondary analyses of data from a nationally representative survey of White (n = 11 448) and Black (n = 1174) nursing-home residents in 2004. Bivariate and multivariate analyses determined racial disparities in receipt of influenza vaccination in 2003 and 2004, receipt of pneumococcus vaccination ever, and having a documented history for each vaccination.

Results: The overall vaccination rate was 76.2% for influenza and 48.5% for pneumococcus infection. Compared with Whites, Blacks showed a 13% lower vaccination rate and a 5% higher undocumentation rate for influenza, and a 15% lower vaccination rate and a 7% higher undocumentation rate for pneumococcus. For influenza, the odds ratio (OR) for Blacks being unvaccinated was 1.84 (P < or = .001), and the OR for Blacks having undocumented vaccination was 1.85 (P = .001). For pneumococcus infection, the OR for Blacks being unvaccinated was 1.70 (P < or = .001), and the OR for Blacks having undocumented vaccination was 1.95 (P < or = .001). Stratified analyses confirmed persistent racial disparities among subpopulations.

Conclusions: Racial disparities exist in vaccination coverage among US nursing-home residents. Targeted interventions to improve vaccination coverage for minority nursing-home residents are warranted.