Influenza vaccination rates and location for receiving the influenza vaccination among older adult Medicare beneficiaries

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the trends in older adult influenza vaccination rates and (2) locations at which U.S. older adults received influenza vaccinations for the 2008-2009 to 2017-2018 influenza seasons, and (3) compare the estimates of influenza vaccination rates and locations with the estimates from other sources reported previously. Methods: Data from the 2009 to 2017 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) were used in this analysis. The weighted sample included an average of approximately 37 million community-dwelling older Medicare beneficiaries who completed questionnaires per year. The estimates for older adult influenza vaccination rates and the locations that they used to receive the influenza vaccination were weighted and reported for the 2008-2009 to 2017-2018 influenza seasons. Results: The self-reported older adult influenza vaccination rates between 2008-09 and 20172018 ranged from 69.6% (24.6 million) to 75.0% (31.3 million). Across the study period, the percentage of older adults receiving the influenza vaccination at a physician office and clinic declined by 10.4%. The decline was more than offset by an increase in older adult influenza vaccination receipt at a community pharmacy, which substantially increased from 16.6% (4.1 million) in 2008-2009 to 34.8% (10.9 million) in 2014-2015. When compared with the estimates from other sources, the absolute value of the MCBS estimates corresponds with National Health Interview Survey estimates. The older adult influenza vaccination rate increased slightly between the 2008-2009 and 2017-2018 influenza seasons but is still below the 90% benchmark. Conclusion: Community pharmaciesdincreasingly important access points for the influenza vaccination for older adultsdlikely contributed to the growth in the rate of older adults vaccinated with influenza vaccines. (c) 2021 American Pharmacists Association (R). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study examined the trends in older adult influenza vaccination rates and locations in the US between 2008-2009 and 2017-2018. The findings showed a slight increase in influenza vaccination rates among older adults, with an increase in vaccinations at community pharmacies and a decrease in vaccinations at physician offices and clinics. The study also found that the absolute values of the estimates were consistent with those reported by the National Health Interview Survey.