Immunization

What to know

  • Each year in the United States, many people get diseases that vaccines could have prevented.
  • Vaccines help the body create proteins that fight off infections (called antibodies), protecting us from potentially life-threatening diseases.
  • Yet some children and adults do not get their recommended vaccines.
  • The types of vaccines needed are based on age, and in some cases, certain chronic diseases or risk factors.

Estimates by chronic conditions

Need estimates of vaccination among adults by chronic condition for your state? Please refer to the BRFSS Web Enabled Analysis Tool (WEAT).

More information

Definition Details

Population

All adults.

Numerator

Adults who reported receiving an influenza vaccination within the past year.

Denominator

All adults.

Measure

Annual prevalence (crude and age-adjusted).

Time Period of Case Definition

Past year.

Summary

Although vaccination coverage has increased, during the 2021–2022 influenza season only about half (49.4%) of adults aged ≥18 years were vaccinated against influenza.1 Over the 2019–2020 influenza season in the United States, there were an estimated 36 million influenza-associated illnesses, 16 million outpatient medical visits, 390,000 hospitalizations, and 25,000 deaths.2 In 2019–2020, the mortality rates for influenza-related deaths in the United States was 1.9 per 100,000 for adults 18–49 years, 9.8 per 100,000 for adults 50–64 years, and 29.4 per 100,000 for adults 65 years and older.3 An annual influenza vaccination is the best way to protect against influenza (flu) and flu-related severe illness. Every year, flu vaccination prevents illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended annual influenza vaccination for all people aged ≥6 months in the United States.4

Notes

Respondents might not distinguish between influenza and pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) vaccinations.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Related Objectives or Recommendations

Healthy People 2030: IID-09: Increase the proportion of people who get the flu vaccine every year; IID‑D03: Increase the proportion of adults aged 19 years or older who get recommended vaccines.

Related CDI Topic Area

None.

Reference 1

Flu vaccination coverage, United States, 2021–22 influenza season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated October 18, 2022. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-2022estimates.htm

Reference 2

Disease burden of flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated October 4, 2022. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html

Reference 3

Estimated Flu-Related Illnesses, Medical visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in the United States — 2019–2020 Flu Season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated October 7, 2022. Accessed April 13, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2019-2020.html

Reference 4

Grohskopf LA, Blanton LH, Ferdinands JM, et al. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022–23 influenza season. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2022;71(No. RR-1):1–28. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7101a1

Population

Adults aged 18–64 who are at increased risk.

Numerator

Adults who are at increased risk of complications from influenza because of certain chronic conditions (diabetes, coronary heart disease, current asthma, cancer [excluding skin cancer], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease) who report having received an influenza vaccination in the past year.

Denominator

Adults aged 18–64 who are at increased risk of complications from influenza because of certain chronic conditions (diabetes, coronary heart disease, current asthma, cancer [excluding skin cancer], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease).

Measure

Annual prevalence (crude and age-adjusted).

Time Period of Case Definition

Past year.

Summary

Adults with certain chronic health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious influenza complications that can result in hospitalization or even death.1 For example, adults with asthma can develop swollen and sensitive airways, and influenza can cause further inflammation of the airways and lungs. Influenza is also associated with an increase in heart attacks and strokes and can make it harder to control blood sugar.2 However, for adults with certain chronic conditions, an influenza vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of influenza-related worsening of chronic conditions and prevent influenza-associated hospitalization to levels approaching those of adults who are not at higher risk.3

Notes

Respondents might not distinguish between influenza and pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) vaccinations.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Related Objectives or Recommendations

Healthy People 2030: IID-09: Increase the proportion of people who get the flu vaccine every year; IID‑D03: Increase the proportion of adults aged 19 years or older who get recommended vaccines.

Related CDI Topic Area

None.

Reference 1

Grohskopf LA, Blanton LH, Ferdinands JM, et al. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022–23 influenza season. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2022;71(No. RR-1):1-28. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.rr7101a1

Reference 2

People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated September 6, 2022. Accessed March 31,2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm

Reference 3

Shang M, Chung JR, Jackson ML, et al. Influenza vaccine effectiveness among patients with high-risk medical conditions in the United States, 2012-2016. Vaccine. 2018;36(52):8047-8053. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.10.093

Population

Adults aged 18–64.

Numerator

Adults aged 18–64 with certain medical conditions or risk factors (diabetes, coronary heart disease, current asthma, cancer [excluding skin cancer], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, current smoker) putting them at increased risk of pneumococcal disease who report they ever had a pneumonia shot (pneumococcal vaccination).

Denominator

Adults aged 18–64 with certain medical conditions or risk factors (diabetes, coronary heart disease, current asthma, cancer [excluding skin cancer], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, current smoker) putting them at increased risk of pneumococcal disease.

Measure

Prevalence (crude and age-adjusted).

Time Period of Case Definition

Lifetime.

Summary

Pneumococcal infections, a disease caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, can range from ear and sinus infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections.1 Pneumococcal pneumonia causes an estimated 150,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States; pneumococcal meningitis and bacteremia killed about 3,250 people in the United States in 2019.1 Although pneumococcal disease can be very serious, there are vaccines to help prevent the disease.2 It is recommended that adults aged 18–64 years who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease due to certain medical conditions and risk factors (alcoholism; chronic heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease; cochlear implant; cerebrospinal fluid leak; diabetes; HIV infection; cancer; solid organ transplant, or another condition or taking medicine that weakens the immune system; nephrotic syndrome; sickle cell disease; a damaged or no spleen; and adults who smoke cigarettes) receive pneumococcal vaccination.2

Notes

Respondents might not distinguish between influenza and pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) vaccinations.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Related Objectives or Recommendations

Healthy People 2030: IID‑D03 Increase the proportion of adults aged 19 years or older who get recommended vaccines.

Related CDI Topic Area

None.

Reference 1

About Pneumococcal Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated September 1, 2020. Accessed March 31,2023. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/index.html

Reference 2

Kobayashi M, Farrar JL, Gierke R, et al. Use of 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine among U.S. adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71(4):109-117. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7104a1

Population

Adults aged 65 years and older.

Numerator

Adults aged 65 years and older who report they have had a pneumonia shot (pneumococcal vaccination).

Denominator

Adults aged 65 years and older.

Measure

Annual prevalence (crude and age-adjusted).

Time Period of Case Definition

Current year.

Summary

Pneumococcal infections, a disease caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, can range from ear and sinus infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections.1 Pneumococcal pneumonia causes an estimated 150,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States; pneumococcal meningitis and bacteremia killed about 3,250 people in the United States in 2019.1 Although pneumococcal disease can be very serious, there are vaccines to help prevent the disease.2 It is recommended that adults aged 65 years and older receive the vaccine.2

Notes

Respondents might not distinguish between influenza and pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) vaccinations.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Related Objectives or Recommendations

Healthy People 2030: IID‑D03: Increase the proportion of adults aged 19 years or older who get recommended vaccines.

Related CDI Topic Area

Older adults.

Reference 1

About Pneumococcal Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated September 1, 2020. Accessed March 31, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/index.html

Reference 2

Kobayashi M, Farrar JL, Gierke R, et al. Use of 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine among U.S. adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71(4):109-117. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7104a1

Resources

Additional Data Sources