A Map of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Influenza Vaccine Uptake in the Medicare Fee-for-Service Program

Overview

Journal Adv Ther

Date 2020 Apr 11

PMID 32274750

Citations 17

Authors

Laura L Hall

Liou Xu

Salaheddin M Mahmud

Gary A Puckrein

Ed W Thommes

Ayman Chit

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Despite improved understanding of the risks of influenza and better vaccines for older patients, influenza vaccination rates remain subpar, including in high-risk groups such as older adults, and demonstrate significant racial and ethnic disparities.

Methods: This study considers demographic, clinical, and geographic correlates of influenza vaccination among Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) beneficiaries in 2015-2016 and maps the data on a geographic information system (GIS) at the zip code level.

Results: Analyses confirm that only half of the senior beneficiaries evidenced a claim for receiving an inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), with significant disparities observed among black, Hispanic, rural, and poorer beneficiaries. More extensive disparities were observed for the high-dose (HD) vaccine, with its added protection for older populations and confirmed economic benefit. Most white beneficiaries received HD; no non-white subgroup did so. Mapping of the data confirmed subpar vaccination in vulnerable populations with wide variations at the zip code level.

Conclusion: Urgent and targeted efforts are needed to equitably increase IIV rates, thus protecting the most vulnerable populations from the negative health impact of influenza as well as the tax-paying public from the Medicare costs from failing to do so.

Citing Articles

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Cho B, OHalloran A, Pike J Vaccine X. 2023; 14:100326.

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Geographic Variation in Racial Disparities in Receipt of High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Among US Older Adults.

Silva J, Howe C, Jackson J, Riester M, Bardenheier B, Xu L J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023; 11(3):1520-1529.

PMID: 37184814 PMC: 10184628. DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01628-z.

Assessing barriers to access and equity for COVID-19 vaccination in the US.

Kuehn M, LaMori J, DeMartino J, Mesa-Frias M, Doran J, Korrapati L BMC Public Health. 2022; 22(1):2263.

PMID: 36463172 PMC: 9719622. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14636-1.

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