Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccination: Differences in coverage, beliefs, and reasons for non-vaccination by race/ethnicity, income, and education during the 2009-2010 influenza pandemic

Background: In April 2009, influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged in the U.S. By end of July 2009 a vaccine had been developed, licensed, and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The first vaccine was available to the public on October 5, 2009.

Objective: To identify sociodemographic differences in 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination coverage, vaccine beliefs, and reasons for non-vaccination.

Methods: Data are from the National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS), a weekly random-digit-dialed telephone survey that was initiated in October 2009. For both H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccination, coverage rates, vaccine beliefs, and reasons for non-vaccination will be compared by sociodemographic groups. Comparisons will be made overall, among target groups, and among children and adults.

Results: Preliminary results from December interviews (final analysis will be based on data collected through June 2010) indicate non-Hispanic blacks had lower H1N1 vaccination coverage than non-Hispanic whites both overall (8.7% versus 16.9%, P<0.05) and among the initial H1N1 target groups (12.0% versus 25.1%, P<0.05). Hispanics had lower coverage than non-Hispanic whites among the initial target groups (19.0% versus 25.1%, P<0.05). Likewise, there were statistically significant differences in beliefs by race/ethnicity. H1N1 vaccination coverage varied statistically significantly by education but not by income/poverty level.

Conclusions: Similar to seasonal influenza vaccination coverage in previous seasons, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics had lower H1N1 influenza vaccination coverage than non-Hispanic whites. It is important to better understand differences in access to, behavior, and beliefs about influenza immunization both for future responses and for seasonal influenza programs.