BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is common in adults hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza, but the association between timeliness of influenza antiviral treatment and severe clinical outcomes in patients with influenza-associated pneumonia is not well characterized. METHODS: We included adults aged ≥18 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza and a discharge diagnosis of pneumonia over 7 influenza seasons (2012-2019) sampled from a multistate population-based surveillance network. We evaluated 3 treatment groups based on timing of influenza antiviral initiation relative to admission date (day 0, day 1, days 2-5). Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared across groups using unweighted counts and weighted percentages accounting for the complex survey design. Logistic regression models were generated to evaluate the association between delayed treatment and 30-day all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 26 233 adults were sampled in the analysis. Median age was 71 years and most (92.2%) had ≥1 non-immunocompromising condition. Overall, 60.9% started antiviral treatment on day 0, 29.5% on day 1, and 9.7% on days 2-5 (median, 2 days). Baseline characteristics were similar across groups. Thirty-day mortality occurred in 7.5%, 8.5%, and 10.2% of patients who started treatment on day 0, day 1, and days 2-5, respectively. Compared to those treated on day 0, adjusted odds ratio for death was 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.27) in those starting treatment on day 1 and 1.40 (95% CI, 1.17-1.66) in those starting on days 2-5. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed initiation of antiviral treatment in patients hospitalized with influenza-associated pneumonia was associated with higher risk of death, highlighting the importance of timely initiation of antiviral treatment at admission.

Annually, tens of thousands of U.S. children and adolescents are hospitalized with seasonal influenza virus infection. Both influenza vaccination and early initiation of antiviral treatment can reduce complications of influenza. Using data from two U.S. influenza surveillance networks for children and adolescents aged <18 years with medically attended, laboratory-confirmed influenza for whom antiviral treatment is recommended, the percentage who received treatment was calculated. Trends in antiviral treatment of children and adolescents hospitalized with influenza from the 2017-18 to the 2023-2024 influenza seasons were also examined. Since 2017-18, when 70%-86% of hospitalized children and adolescents with influenza received antiviral treatment, the proportion receiving treatment notably declined. Among children and adolescents with influenza during the 2023-24 season, 52%-59% of those hospitalized received antiviral treatment. During the 2023-24 season, 31% of those at higher risk for influenza complications seen in the outpatient setting in one network were prescribed antiviral treatment. These findings demonstrate that influenza antiviral treatment is underutilized among children and adolescents who could benefit from treatment. All hospitalized children and adolescents, and those at higher risk for influenza complications in the outpatient setting, should receive antiviral treatment as soon as possible for suspected or confirmed influenza.

BACKGROUND: While the estimated number of U.S. influenza-associated deaths is reported annually, detailed data on the epidemiology of influenza-associated deaths, including the burden of in-hospital versus post-hospital discharge deaths are limited. METHODS: Using data from the 2010-11 through 2018-19 seasons from the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, we linked cases to death certificates to identify patients who died from any cause during their influenza hospital stay or within 30 days post discharge. We described demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who died in hospital versus post discharge and characterized locations and causes of death (COD). RESULTS: Among 121,390 cases hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza over 9 seasons, 5.5% died; 76% of deaths were in patients ≥65 years, 71% were non-Hispanic White, and 34% had ≥4 underlying medical conditions. Among all patients with an influenza-associated hospitalization who died, 48% of deaths occurred after hospital discharge; the median days from discharge to death was 9 days (IQR 3-19 days). Post-discharge deaths more often occurred in older patients and among those with underlying medical conditions. Only 37% of patients who died had "influenza" as a COD on their death certificate. Influenza was more frequently listed as a COD among persons who died in-hospital compared with cardiovascular disease among those who died after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: All-cause mortality burden is substantial among patients hospitalized with influenza, with almost 50% of deaths occurring within 30 days after hospital discharge. Surveillance systems should consider capture of post-discharge outcomes to better characterize the impact of influenza on all-cause mortality.

BACKGROUND: Influenza is a substantial cause of annual morbidity and mortality; however, correctly identifying those patients at increased risk for severe disease is often challenging. Several severity indices have been developed; however, these scores have not been validated for use in patients with influenza. We evaluated the discrimination of three clinical disease severity scores in predicting severe influenza-associated outcomes. METHODS: We used data from the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network to assess outcomes of patients hospitalized with influenza in the United States during the 2017-2018 influenza season. We computed patient scores at admission for three widely used disease severity scores: CURB-65, Quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), and the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI). We then grouped patients with severe outcomes into four severity tiers, ranging from ICU admission to death, and calculated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for each severity index in predicting these tiers of severe outcomes. RESULTS: Among 8252 patients included in this study, we found that all tested severity scores had higher discrimination for more severe outcomes, including death, and poorer discrimination for less severe outcomes, such as ICU admission. We observed the highest discrimination for PSI against in-hospital mortality, at 0.78. CONCLUSIONS: We observed low to moderate discrimination of all three scores in predicting severe outcomes among adults hospitalized with influenza. Given the substantial annual burden of influenza disease in the United States, identifying a prediction index for severe outcomes in adults requiring hospitalization with influenza would be beneficial for patient triage and clinical decision-making.

From surveillance data of patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza in the United States during the 2015-2016 through 2018-2019 seasons, initiation of antiviral treatment increased from 86% to 94%, with increases seen across all age groups. However, 62% started therapy ≥3 days after illness onset, driven by late presentation to care.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate population-based rates and to describe clinical characteristics of hospital-acquired (HA) influenza. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: US Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) during 2011-2012 through 2018-2019 seasons. METHODS: Patients were identified through provider-initiated or facility-based testing. HA influenza was defined as a positive influenza test date and respiratory symptom onset >3 days after admission. Patients with positive test date >3 days after admission but missing respiratory symptom onset date were classified as possible HA influenza. RESULTS: Among 94,158 influenza-associated hospitalizations, 353 (0.4%) had HA influenza. The overall adjusted rate of HA influenza was 0.4 per 100,000 persons. Among HA influenza cases, 50.7% were 65 years of age or older, and 52.0% of children and 95.7% of adults had underlying conditions; 44.9% overall had received influenza vaccine prior to hospitalization. Overall, 34.5% of HA cases received ICU care during hospitalization, 19.8% required mechanical ventilation, and 6.7% died. After including possible HA cases, prevalence among all influenza-associated hospitalizations increased to 1.3% and the adjusted rate increased to 1.5 per 100,000 persons. CONCLUSIONS: Over 8 seasons, rates of HA influenza were low but were likely underestimated because testing was not systematic. A high proportion of patients with HA influenza were unvaccinated and had severe outcomes. Annual influenza vaccination and implementation of robust hospital infection control measures may help to prevent HA influenza and its impacts on patient outcomes and the healthcare system.

IMPORTANCE: Racial and ethnic minority groups, such as Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Asian or Pacific Islander persons, often experience higher rates of severe influenza disease. OBJECTIVE: To describe rates of influenza-associated hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital death by race and ethnicity over 10 influenza seasons. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study used data from the Influenza-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET), which conducts population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in selected counties, representing approximately 9% of the US population. Influenza hospitalizations from the 2009 to 2010 season to the 2018 to 2019 season were analyzed. Data were analyzed from October 2020 to July 2021. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcomes were age-adjusted and age-stratified rates of influenza-associated hospitalization, ICU admission, and in-hospital death by race and ethnicity overall and by influenza season. RESULTS: Among 113 352 persons with an influenza-associated hospitalization (34 436 persons [32.0%] aged ≥75 years; 61 009 [53.8%] women), 70 225 persons (62.3%) were non-Hispanic White (White), 24 850 persons (21.6%) were non-Hispanic Black (Black), 11 903 persons (10.3%) were Hispanic, 5517 persons (5.1%) were non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander, and 857 persons (0.7%) were non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native. Among persons aged younger than 75 years and compared with White persons of the same ages, Black persons were more likely to be hospitalized (eg, age 50-64 years: rate ratio [RR], 2.50 95% CI, 2.43-2.57) and to be admitted to an ICU (eg, age 50-64 years: RR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.96-2.23). Among persons aged younger than 50 years and compared with White persons of the same ages, American Indian or Alaska Native persons were more likely to be hospitalized (eg, age 18-49 years: RR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.51-1.96) and to be admitted to an ICU (eg, age 18-49 years: RR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.40-2.42). Among children aged 4 years or younger and compared with White children, hospitalization rates were higher in Black children (RR, 2.21; 95% CI, 2.10-2.33), Hispanic children (RR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.77-1.97), American Indian or Alaska Native children (RR, 3.00; 95% CI, 2.55-3.53), and Asian or Pacific Islander children (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.16-1.38), as were rates of ICU admission (Black children: RR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.43-3.09; Hispanic children: RR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.73-2.23; American Indian and Alaska Native children: RR, 3.51; 95% CI, 2.45-5.05). In this age group and compared with White children, in-hospital death rates were higher among Hispanic children (RR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.23-7.19), Black children (RR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.40-8.18), and Asian or Pacific Islander children (RR, 4.35; 95% CI, 1.55-12.22). Few differences were observed in rates of severe influenza-associated outcomes by race and ethnicity among adults aged 75 years or older. For example, in this age group, compared with White adults, hospitalization rates were slightly higher only among Black adults (RR, 1.05; 95% CI 1.02-1.09). Overall, Black persons had the highest age-adjusted hospitalization rate (68.8 [95% CI, 68.0-69.7] hospitalizations per 100 000 population) and ICU admission rate (11.6 [95% CI, 11.2-11.9] admissions per 100 000 population). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cross-sectional study found racial and ethnic disparities in rates of severe influenza-associated disease. These data identified subgroups for whom improvements in influenza prevention efforts could be targeted.

Health care personnel (HCP) can be exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), both within and outside the workplace, increasing their risk for infection. Among 6,760 adults hospitalized during March 1-May 31, 2020, for whom HCP status was determined by the COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET), 5.9% were HCP. Nursing-related occupations (36.3%) represented the largest proportion of HCP hospitalized with COVID-19. Median age of hospitalized HCP was 49 years, and 89.8% had at least one underlying medical condition, of which obesity was most commonly reported (72.5%). A substantial proportion of HCP with COVID-19 had indicators of severe disease: 27.5% were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), 15.8% required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 4.2% died during hospitalization. HCP can have severe COVID-19-associated illness, highlighting the need for continued infection prevention and control in health care settings as well as community mitigation efforts to reduce transmission.

INTRODUCTION: Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among adults. The most effective strategy for preventing influenza is annual vaccination. However, vaccination coverage has been suboptimal among adult populations. The purpose of this study is to assess trends in influenza vaccination among adult populations. METHODS: Data from the 2010-2016 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed in 2018 to estimate vaccination coverage during the 2010-2011 through 2015-2016 seasons. Trends of vaccination in recent years were assessed. Vaccination coverage by race/ethnicity within each group was examined. Multivariable logistic regression and predictive marginal models were conducted to identify factors associated with vaccination, and interactions between race/ethnicity and other demographic and access-to-care characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Vaccination coverage among adults aged >/=18 years increased from 38.3% in the 2010-2011 season to 43.4% in the 2015-2016 season, with an average increase of 1.3 percentage points annually. From the 2010-2011 through 2015-2016 seasons, coverage was stable for adults aged >/=65 years and changed by -0.1 to 9.9 percentage points for all other examined subgroups. Coverage in 2015-2016 was 70.4% for adults aged >/=65 years, 46.4% for those aged 50-64 years, and 32.3% for those aged 18-49 years; 47.9% for people aged 18-64 years with high-risk conditions; 64.8% for healthcare personnel; and 50.3% for pregnant women. Among adults aged >/=18 years for the 2015-2016 season, coverage was significantly lower among non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, influenza vaccination coverage among adults aged >/=18 years increased during 2010-2016, but it remained below the national target of 70%. Vaccination coverage varied by age, risk status, race/ethnicity, healthcare personnel, and pregnancy status. Targeted efforts are needed to improve coverage and reduce disparities.

OBJECTIVE: To assess human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage among adolescents by provider recommendation status. STUDY DESIGN: The 2011-2016 National Immunization Survey-Teen data were used to assess HPV vaccination coverage among male adolescents by provider recommendation status. Multivariable logistic analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between HPV vaccination and provider recommendation status. RESULTS: HPV vaccination coverage among male adolescents increased from 8.3% in 2011 to 57.3% in 2016. Likewise, the prevalence of provider recommendation increased from 14.2% in 2011 to 65.5% in 2016. In 2016, HPV coverage was higher in male adolescents with a provider recommendation than in those without a provider recommendation (68.8% vs 35.4%). In multivariable logistic regression, characteristics independently associated with a higher likelihood of HPV vaccination included receipt of a provider recommendation, age 16-17 years, black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, any Medicaid insurance, >/=2 physician contacts in the previous 12 months, and urban or suburban residence. Participants with a mother with some college or a college degree, those with a mother aged 35-44 years, and those who did not have a well-child visit at age 11-12 years had a lower likelihood of HPV vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Receiving a provider recommendation for vaccination was significantly associated with receipt of HPV vaccine among male adolescents, indicating that a provider recommendation for vaccination is an important approach to increase vaccination coverage. Evidence-based strategies, such as standing orders and provider reminders, alone or in combination with health system interventions, are useful for increasing provider recommendations and HPV vaccination coverage among male adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: A composite adult immunization status measure is currently under consideration for adoption into the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set. This paper complements the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set health plan-level measure testing efforts by examining use of survey-based self-reported vaccination data to assess composite adult immunization coverage and identify limitations to using survey data to measure progress. METHODS: The 2015 National Health Interview Survey data were used in 2017 to calculate estimates for a composite of selected vaccines routinely recommended for adults aged >/=19 years, overall and in three age groups: 19-59, 60-64, and >/=65 years for tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td); tetanus toxoid; reduced diphtheria toxoid; and tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap); and herpes zoster, pneumococcal, and influenza vaccines. RESULTS: Composite coverage for adults aged >/=19 years including receipt of Tdap in the past 10 years and influenza vaccination was 11.9%, ranging from 6.3% in adults aged 60-64 years to 13.7% in adults aged 19-59 years. Excluding influenza, composite coverage was 20.7%, ranging from 8.1% (adults aged 60-64 years) to 25.2% (adults aged 19-59 years). In a composite including any Td-containing vaccine in the past 10 years, coverage including influenza vaccination for adults aged >/=19 years was 23.4%, ranging from 12.6% (adults aged 60-64 years) to 25.7% (adults aged 19-59 years). Excluding influenza, composite coverage was 51.4%, ranging from 15.8% (adults aged 60-64 years) to 63.0% (adults aged 19-59 years). CONCLUSIONS: Survey-based vaccination data may under- or over-estimate coverage, but most adults require at least one additional vaccination by any metric. A composite measure provides a single focal point to promote adherence to standards of care.

BACKGROUND: Persons from the United States who travel to developing countries are at substantial risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Hepatitis B vaccine has been recommended for adults at increased risk for infection, including travelers to high or intermediate hepatitis B endemic countries. PURPOSE: To assess hepatitis B vaccination coverage among adults>/=18years traveling to a country of high or intermediate endemicity from the United States. METHODS: Data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed to determine hepatitis B vaccination coverage (>/=1 dose) and series completion (>/=3 doses) among persons aged>/= 18years who reported traveling to a country of high or intermediate hepatitis B endemicity. Multivariable logistic regression and predictive marginal analyses were conducted to identify factors independently associated with hepatitis B vaccination. RESULTS: In 2015, hepatitis B vaccination coverage (>/=1 dose) among adults aged>/=18years who reported traveling to high or intermediate hepatitis B endemic countries was 38.6%, significantly higher compared with 25.9% among non-travelers. Series completion (>/=3 doses) was 31.7% and 21.2%, respectively (P<0.05). On multivariable analysis among all respondents, travel status was significantly associated with hepatitis B vaccination coverage and series completion. Other characteristics independently associated with vaccination (>/=1 dose, and>/=3 doses) among travelers included age, race/ethnicity, educational level, duration of U.S. residence, number of physician contacts in the past year, status of ever being tested for HIV, and healthcare personnel status. CONCLUSIONS: Although travel to a country of high or intermediate hepatitis B endemicity was associated with higher likelihood of hepatitis B vaccination, hepatitis B vaccination coverage was low among adult travelers to these areas. Healthcare providers should ask their patients about travel plans and recommend and offer travel related vaccinations to their patients or refer them to alternate sites for vaccination.

INTRODUCTION: Outbreaks of pertussis can occur in healthcare settings. Vaccinating healthcare personnel may be helpful in protecting healthcare personnel from pertussis and potentially limiting spread to others in healthcare settings. METHODS: Data from 21 states using the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System industry/occupation module were analyzed in 2016. Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination status was self-reported by healthcare personnel along with their occupation, healthcare setting/industry, demographics, and access to care factors. To compare groups, t-tests were used. The median state response rate was 44.0%. RESULTS: Among all healthcare personnel, 47.2% were vaccinated for Tdap. Physicians had higher Tdap coverage (66.8%) compared with all other healthcare personnel except nurse practitioners and registered nurses (59.5%), whose coverage did not statistically differ from that of physicians. Tdap vaccination coverage was higher among workers in hospitals (53.3%) than in long-term care facilities (33.3%) and other clinical settings, such as dentist, chiropractor, and optometrist offices (39.3%). Healthcare personnel who were younger, who had higher education, higher annual household income, a personal healthcare provider, and health insurance had higher Tdap vaccination coverage compared with reference groups. Tdap vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel in 21 states ranged from 30.6% in Mississippi to 65.9% in Washington. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in Tdap vaccination among healthcare personnel is needed to potentially reduce opportunities for spread of pertussis in healthcare settings. On-site workplace vaccination, offering vaccines free of charge, and promoting vaccination may increase vaccination among healthcare personnel.

BACKGROUND: Influenza illnesses can result in missed days at work and societal costs, but influenza vaccination can reduce the risk of disease. Knowledge of vaccination coverage by industry and occupation can help guide prevention efforts and be useful during influenza pandemic planning. METHODS: Data from 21 states using the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System industry-occupation module were analyzed. Influenza vaccination coverage was reported by select industry and occupation groups, including health care personnel (HCP) and other occupational groups who may have first priority to receive influenza vaccination during a pandemic (tier 1). The t tests were used to make comparisons between groups. RESULTS: Influenza vaccination coverage varied by industry and occupation, with high coverage among persons in health care industries and occupations. Approximately half of persons classified as tier 1 received influenza vaccination, and vaccination coverage among tier 1 and HCP groups varied widely by state. CONCLUSIONS: This report points to the particular industries and occupations where improvement in influenza vaccination coverage is needed. Prior to a pandemic event, more specificity on occupational codes to define exact industries and occupations in each tier group would be beneficial in implementing pandemic influenza vaccination programs and monitoring the success of these programs.

INTRODUCTION: Routine influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP) can reduce influenza-related illness and its potentially serious consequences among HCP and their patients. Influenza vaccination has been routinely recommended for HCP since 1984. METHODS: Data from the 2013 and 2014 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed in 2015. Kaplan-Meier survival estimated the cumulative proportion of HCP reporting 2013-2014 season influenza vaccination. Vaccination coverage by work setting and occupation were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression and predictive marginal analyses identified factors independently associated with vaccination among HCP. RESULTS: Influenza vaccination coverage was 64.9% among HCP aged ≥18 years (95% CI=60.5%, 69.3%), which was significantly higher compared with non-HCP among the same age group (41.0%, 95% CI=39.8%, 42.1%) (p<0.05). Vaccination coverage was higher among physicians (82.3%) and nurses (77.5%) than other types of HCP (range, 50.2%-65.6%). Coverage was higher among HCP working in hospitals (76.9%) versus other settings (range, 53.9%-60.2%). Characteristics independently associated with an increased likelihood of vaccination among HCP were older age, higher education, having more physician contacts, and having health insurance. Having never been married was independently associated with decreased likelihood of vaccination among HCP. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination coverage was higher among HCP than non-HCP, but still below the national target of 90%. Vaccination coverage varied widely by occupation type, work settings, and demographic characteristics. Evidence-based interventions, such as making vaccine available at no cost in the workplace and active promotion of vaccination, are needed to increase influenza vaccination among HCP in all healthcare settings.

The incidence of pertussis in the United States has increased since the 1990s. Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination of pregnant women provides passive protection to infants. Tdap vaccination is currently recommended for pregnant women during each pregnancy, but coverage among pregnant women and women of childbearing age has been suboptimal. Data from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used to determine national and state-specific Tdap vaccination coverage among women of childbearing age by self-reported pregnancy status at the time of the survey. Although this study could not assess coverage of Tdap vaccination received during pregnancy because questions on whether Tdap vaccination was received during pregnancy were not asked in BRFSS and NHIS, demographic and access-to-care factors associated with Tdap vaccination coverage in this population were assessed. Tdap vaccination coverage among all women 18-44 years old was 38.4% based on the BRFSS and 23.3% based on the NHIS. Overall, coverage did not differ by pregnancy status at the time of the survey. Coverage among all women 18-44 years old varied widely by state. Age, race and ethnicity, education, number of children in the household, and access-to-care characteristics were independently associated with Tdap vaccination in both surveys. We identified associations of demographic and access-to-care characteristics with Tdap vaccination that can guide strategies to improve vaccination rates in women during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Invasive pneumococcal disease is a major cause of illness in the United States, and rates are higher among persons ≥65 years. Pneumococcal vaccination has been recommended to adults ≥65 years since 1997. METHODS: Data from the 2005-2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. Weighted estimates of pneumococcal vaccination coverage were calculated by state and race/ethnicity and tests for linear trend were performed. RESULTS: In 2013, the median state vaccination coverage among adults ≥65 years was 69.5%, and coverage ranged from 61.9% in New Jersey to 75.6% in Oregon. Coverage overall among non-Hispanic whites (71.1%) was higher than coverage for non-Hispanic blacks (57.7%), Hispanics (51.9%), and non-Hispanic persons of other race (65.4%). Coverage increased from 2005 to 2013 overall and by racial/ethnic subgroups. CONCLUSION: Although pneumococcal vaccination coverage has improved in the past several years, coverage remains below the Healthy People 2020 target of 90% and racial/ethnic disparities exist.

INTRODUCTION: During annual influenza epidemics, rates of serious illness and death are higher among those who have medical conditions, such as pulmonary disease, diabetes, or heart disease, which place them at increased risk of influenza complications. Annual influenza vaccination was recommended for people with high-risk conditions as early as 1960. METHODS: Data from the 2012-2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed in 2014 to estimate national and state-specific influenza vaccination coverage among people aged 18-64 years with high-risk conditions. Prevalence ratios adjusted for demographic and access-to-care characteristics were calculated using logistic regression and predictive marginal models. RESULTS: Unadjusted influenza vaccination coverage was 45.4% among adults aged 18-64 years with at least one high-risk condition, compared with 32.9% among those with no high-risk conditions (p<0.05). Among adults aged 18-64 years with multiple conditions (at least two high-risk conditions), vaccination coverage was 53.2%. Coverage was 43.9% for those with pulmonary diseases, 52.7% for those with diabetes, 48.1% for those with heart disease, and 45.0% for those with cancer. Individuals with high-risk conditions were more likely to receive an influenza vaccine than those with no high-risk conditions, even after controlling for demographic and access-to-care characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Despite ongoing influenza vaccination recommendations for adults with high-risk conditions, coverage was below the Healthy People 2020 target; only about half were vaccinated. Primary care providers and subspecialists should ensure routine assessment of vaccination status every fall and winter and recommend vaccination to people with high-risk conditions.