Recorded presentation

Karen A. Lees, MPH¹, Pascale M. Wortley, MD, MPH², and Carla Winston, PhD, MA². (1) Division of Health Care Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, 3311 Toldeo Road, Room 3332, Hyattsville, MD 20782, 301-458-4518, kol9@cdc.gov, (2) Health Services Research & Evaluation Branch, National Immunization Program, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS E-52, Atlanta, GA 30333

Background: National data show that elderly African-Americans and Hispanics are vaccinated against pneumococcal disease less frequently than Whites. Reasons for those differences are poorly understood.

Method(s): Medicare beneficiaries residing in the five Racial and Ethnic Adult Disparities in Immunization Initiative (READII) demonstration sites were randomly sampled and contacted via the telephone. Participants were categorized as either vaccinated, willing-to-be vaccinated, or refusers. Refusers were those who reported a doctor recommendation for vaccination and were unvaccinated, and those who stated they would not get vaccinated if it were doctor recommended.

Result(s): Seventy-three percent of Whites, 46% of African-Americans, and 56% of Hispanics were vaccinated; 19%, 35%, and 34%, respectively, were willing-to-be vaccinated; and 8%, 19%, and 10%, respectively, were refusers. Among those willing-to-be vaccinated, the leading reasons for nonvaccination were not knowing the vaccine was needed (43%) and not receiving a doctor recommendation (23%). Not knowing the vaccine was needed (33%) and thinking they were not at risk for pneumonia (23%) were the leading reasons for nonvaccination in the refusers. Among refusers, nonvaccination due to concerns about the vaccine was more common for African-Americans (22%) than for Whites and Hispanics (13% and 12%). Receipt of the influenza vaccine in fall 2002 was reported by 88% of the vaccinated, 53% of those willing-to-be vaccinated, and 25% of the refusers. Similar patterns were observed for each race.

Conclusion(s): Since a large proportion of unvaccinated minorities are willing-to-be vaccinated, the implementation of systems that will ensure the routine offering of pneumococcal vaccination could have a substantial impact on coverage. Specific messages may be needed to address concerns about the vaccine, particularly among African-Americans.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe differences in pneumococcal vaccination by race/ethnicity.

Keywords: Immunizations, Adult Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation