Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Adult Vaccination Coverage

Introduction: Adults from racial and ethnic minorities and low-income groups are disproportionately affected by vaccine-preventable diseases. The objective of this study is to examine the trends in adult vaccination coverage in the U.S. by race/ethnicity and SES from 2010 to 2019. Methods: Temporal trends in influenza; pneumococcal; herpes zoster; and tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccination coverage were examined by race/ethnicity and SES in 2020 using the National Health Interview Surveys from 2010 to 2019. Results: Influenza vaccination coverage differed by race/ethnicity among adults aged >= 65 years (61.4% for Black, 63.9% for Hispanic, 71.9% for Asian, and 72.4% for White adults). Race/ethnicity, household income, education level, and health insurance type were significantly associated with receipt of influenza; pneumococcal; tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis; and zoster vaccinations among adults aged >= 65 years in a multivariable-adjusted regression model. Socioeconomic differences in influenza vaccine uptake narrowed among adults aged 18-64 years from 2010 to 2019. By contrast, racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences in vaccine uptake persisted from 2010 to 2019 among adults aged >= 65 years. Conclusions: Racial and ethnic disparities in vaccine uptake persisted over the last decade. Socioeconomic disparities in influenza vaccine coverage narrowed among adults aged 18-64 years; however, disparities persisted among adults aged >= 65 years. Efforts are urgently needed to achieve equity in immunization rates. (C) 2021 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Racial and ethnic disparities in vaccine uptake persisted over the last decade, while socioeconomic disparities narrowed among adults aged 18-64 years but persisted among adults aged >= 65 years.