Eliminate Disparities
in Adult & Child Immunization Rates

What is the Impact of Immunization Rates in the United States?
The gap between immunization rates in minority and white populations has been narrowed, but there are still disparities among many racial, ethnic, and underserved populations, especially among adults. Overall childhood immunization rates are extremely high.¹ Efforts must be continued to maintain 90 percent vaccine coverage in all populations.

Examples of Important Disparities
Older adults are at increased risk for many vaccine-preventable diseases. In 1999 approximately 90 percent of all influenza and pneumonia-related deaths occurred in individuals aged 65 and older.² Older Hispanic and African-American adults are much less likely to be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal disease than their white counterparts.³ Data show that in 2000 children living below the poverty level have lower immunization coverage rates as well.⁴ Although great progress has been made in improving childhood immunization rates, some disparities in overall immunization coverage rates among racial and ethnic groups still exist.⁵ This disparity is of great concern in large urban areas with underserved populations because of the potential for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

What is the Goal?
The target date for eliminating disparities is 2010. To eliminate remaining disparities among minority groups, the following goals have been set:

	Increase influenza and pneumococcal (the organism that causes pneumonia) immunizations to 60 percent among all adults aged 65 years and older.
	Achieve and maintain childhood immunization at 90 percent.

Promising Strategies
Implement the HHS plan to improve adult immunizations:

	Public and provider awareness campaigns
	Enhanced delivery of services
	Assess barriers affecting delivery

Health care experts and minority communities need to work together to increase timely immunizations, ensure effective vaccine delivery, and encourage outreach to all seniors. A number of state- and community-based registries will be developed to track coverage rates and help prevent disease outbreaks. An influenza and pneumococcal vaccination campaign run through the National Immunization Program (NIP) encourages senior citizens to receive these vaccines.  This campaign encourages older African Americans to get annual flu shots, and involves universities, clergy, family physicians, pharmacies, senior centers, and churches.  Another immunization initiative focuses on physicians who provide services to children in racial and ethnic minority populations.

What can Healthcare Providers do to Improve Immunization Rates?Physicians must assist in getting children vaccinated. Parents should be told about the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). This program provides funding for all recommended vaccines for eligible children. Barriers to adult immunization include not knowing immunizations are needed, misconceptions about vaccines, and lack of recommendations from health care providers.³  However, many doctors do not offer vaccines and do not take advantage of opportunities to immunize adults during visits in offices, clinics or hospitals. Providers should also address fears of adverse reactions to vaccines. Health care professionals must provide information about the severity of influenza and pneumococcal disease, and information on other vaccine preventable diseases such as hepatitis B.

What Can Individuals do to Help The Immunization Effort?
Adults should seek information on their risk for vaccine-preventable diseases and ask their providers for these services. Parents and caregivers must make sure that children are adequately vaccinated by age two. Following shot requirements for entering school will ensure that pre-school children are protected against possibly fatal illnesses.  Children of aging parents should encourage their senior parents receive pneumococcal vaccine one time and flu vaccine annually to prevent unnecessary illness or early death.

For more information about Immunization:

	OMH National Immunization Awareness Month Highlight
	National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID)
		Influenza Page
		Pneumonia Page
	National Immunization Program (NIP)
		Flu Season 2003-2004
		Pneumococcal Disease Fact Sheet
		Racial and Ethnic Adult Disparities Immunization Initiative (READII)
		Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule United  States, 2003-2004
		Recommended Childhood & Adolescent Immunization Schedule United States, 2004
		Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
		Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program
	National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
		Influenza Fact Sheet
		Pneumococcal Pneumonia Fact Sheet
	Medicare Health Information: Fight Flu and Pneumonia
	Medline Plus: Influenza
	Medline Plus: Pneumonia
	World Health Organization (WHO)
		Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response (CSR)
		Influenza Fact Sheet
		Vaccines, Immunization and Biologicals
	American Lung Association (ALA)
		Influenza News 2002
		Influenza Fact Sheet
		Influenza Page
		Pneumonia Page
		Pneumonia Fact Sheet
	National Coalition for Adult Immunization (NCAI)

Sources:

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Last Updated on November 03, 2004
Office of Minority Health

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