Influenza vaccination among adults with asthma findings from the 2007 BRFSS survey

Abstract

Background: Asthma prevalence among U.S. adults is estimated to be 6.7%. People with asthma are at increased risk of complications from influenza. Influenza vaccination of adults and children with asthma is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The Healthy People 2010 Objectives call for annual influenza vaccination of at least 60% of adults aged 18-64 years with asthma and other conditions associated with an increased risk of complications from influenza.

Purpose: To assess influenza vaccination coverage among adults with asthma in the United States.

Methods: Data from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System restricted to individuals interviewed during February through August were analyzed in 2008 to estimate national and state prevalence of self-reported receipt of influenza vaccination among respondents aged 18-64 years with asthma. Logistic regression provided predictive marginal vaccination coverage for each covariate, adjusted for demographic and access to care characteristics.

Results: Among adults aged 18-64 years with asthma, influenza vaccination coverage was 39.9% (95% CI=38.3%, 41.5%) during the 2006-2007 season (coverage ranged from 26.9% [95% CI=19.8%, 35.3%] in California to 53.3% [95% CI=42.8%, 63.6%] in Tennessee). Influenza vaccination coverage was 33.9% (95% CI=31.9%, 35.9%) for adults aged 18-49 years with asthma compared to 54.7% (95% CI=52.4%, 57.0%) for adults aged 50-64 years with asthma. Among people aged 18-64 years, vaccination coverage was 28.8% among those without asthma. People with asthma who had an increased likelihood of vaccination were aged 50-64 years, female, non-Hispanic white, and had diabetes, activity limitations, health insurance, a regular healthcare provider, routine checkup in the previous year, and formerly smoked or never smoked.

Conclusions: Influenza vaccination coverage continues to be below the national objective of 60% for people aged 18-64 years with asthma as a high-risk condition. Increased state and national efforts are needed to improve influenza vaccination levels among this population and particularly among those aged 18-49 years.