Research Reveals Racial Disparities in Flu Vaccine Uptake

Recent research published in the journal Vaccine highlights significant disparities in flu vaccination rates among different racial and ethnic groups. The study, conducted by researchers from the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, analyzed data from eight Vaccine Safety Datalink health systems over multiple flu seasons from 2017 to 2023.

The findings indicate that non-Hispanic Asian individuals consistently had the highest rates of flu vaccination, while non-Hispanic Black individuals exhibited the lowest uptake across all age categories. Specifically, the gap in vaccination rates between these groups was most pronounced in the 2022-2023 flu season, with differences ranging from 15.1 percentage points in the oldest age group (65 years and older) to 32.7 percentage points in the youngest cohort (6 months to 8 years).

Overall, adults aged 65 and older showed the highest flu vaccination coverage, with rates varying from 60.2% among Black adults to 75.3% among Asian adults during the most recent season. This suggests that older individuals are more likely to receive the flu vaccine compared to younger populations.

The authors of the study emphasize the need for tailored outreach and engagement strategies to better understand the barriers contributing to low vaccination rates among specific racial and ethnic groups. They advocate for community-based initiatives that can inform and encourage vaccination efforts, particularly aimed at Black communities, to enhance flu vaccine uptake.

As flu season approaches, public health officials are urged to consider these disparities in vaccination rates. Addressing the observed differences is critical to ensuring equitable access to healthcare resources and improving overall public health outcomes.

For further details, refer to the original study: Differences in influenza vaccination coverage by race and ethnicity across age groups in the Vaccine Safety Datalink.