on Facebook
on Twitter
on YouTube
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Use by Adults in the U.S.
What is the Seasonal Influenza Survey?
In mid-November 2009, RAND surveyed a nationally representative sample of adults age 18 and over (n=5,679) to collect data on the receipt of seasonal influenza vaccine in the United States. RAND collected comparable data in mid-November 2008.[1] The results of these efforts will inform public health officials and other stakeholders about progress toward vaccinating adults prior to the end of the vaccination season while action can still be taken to improve uptake.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) specifically recommends annual seasonal influenza vaccination for those age 50 or over; persons having certain high-risk medical conditions; healthcare workers; women who will be pregnant during flu season; residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities; and those having close contact with or caring for children under 5 years of age, older persons, or other high-risk individuals.[2] Survey data reported here suggests roughly seven in ten U.S. adults are specifically recommended for vaccine. The ACIP also recommends annual vaccination against seasonal influenza for any adult who wants to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or transmitting it to others.
By mid-November 2009:
- 32 percent of all U.S. adults had been vaccinated against seasonal influenza
- 37 percent of specifically recommended adults had been vaccinated against seasonal influenza
- 17 percent of all adults intended to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine by the end of the season.
Publications
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Use by Adults in the U.S.
A Snapshot as of Mid-November 2009 — 2009
This occasional paper provides key findings from a national survey of adults measuring influenza vaccination rates as of mid-November 2009 (as compared to mid-November 2008), intentions of unvaccinated individuals to be vaccinated during the remainder of the season, reasons for not having been vaccinated, and information sources used to make vaccination decisions.
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Use by Adults in the U.S.
Detailed Tables — 2009
This supplementary document provides point estimates, 95% confidence intervals corresponding to the figures presented in the occasional paper, and information about sample sizes and completion rates.
Methodology
Survey Instrument— 2009
Online questionnaire administered to survey respondents.
View Survey at Knowledge Networks
Methodology Paper — 2008
Brief description of the survey and sampling methodology used by Knowledge Networks.
View PDF at Knowledge Networks
This survey was conducted with the funding and support of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The findings have been subject to RAND's rigorous quality assurance process and RAND alone is responsible for the content.
References
[1] Harris K.M., Maurer J, Lurie N. Midseason Influenza Vaccine Use by Adults in the U.S.: A Snapshot as of Mid-November 2008 (OP-241-GSK). RAND Corporation: Santa Monica, CA. 2008.
[2] Fiore, A.E., et al., Prevention and control of influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009. MMWR Recomm Rep, 2009. 58(RR08): p. 1–52. Persons with chronic conditions considered to be at "high risk" include: persons who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurologic/neuromuscular, hematological or metabolic (including diabetes mellitus) disorders and persons who have an immunosuppressing health condition.
Top