The results indicated that, as of January 2, an estimated 20.3% of the U.S. population (61 million persons) had been vaccinated, including 27.9% of persons in the initial target groups. An estimated 29.4% of U.S. children aged 6 months-18 years had been vaccinated.
Vaccination survey shows gaps
The CDC vaccination report also shows that as of Jan 2, 90% of adults under age 65 with chronic medical conditions that increase their risk of flu complications still had not been vaccinated. Over the past several weeks the CDC has emphasized how vulnerable this group is: three-fourths of adults hospitalized with pandemic flu infections had an underlying condition such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or diabetes.
Vaccine uptake in healthcare workers, slated to receive the very first doses of the vaccine, was also disappointingly low: Only 22% reported having been vaccinated. The number was even lower than for seasonal flu vaccine, which has historically been below 50%.
The survey also showed worrisome signs of racial disparity, even among healthcare workers.
However, the vaccine survey also had some positive findings. For example, vaccine uptake in pregnant women was 38%, which is higher than typically seen for the seasonal flu vaccine. However, the CDC warned that the confidence interval for the uptake number was large and that a separate system is collecting more data on pregnant women to give officials a better estimate of pandemic vaccine uptake.
The CDC expressed that now that an ample supply of vaccine is available, efforts should continue to increase vaccination coverage among persons in the initial target groups and to offer vaccination to the rest of the U.S. population, including those aged ≥65 years.
Source:
CDC MMWR http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm59e0115a1.htm
CIDRAP http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/jan1510cdc.html
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