Memo: Vaccination Disparities
- Sep 25, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 10, 2020
I researched and wrote a memo on racial and geographic disparities in vaccination and immunization rates.
TO: ---
FROM: Madison Hamilton
DATE: July 13, 2020
RE: Vaccination and Immunization Disparities
OVERVIEW & PROBLEM
Influenza vaccinations offer important protections against flu complications, which can become life threatening in vulnerable populations such as children, persons with chronic conditions, and older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone aged 6 months or older receive a flu vaccination every season.
Covid-19 poses a unique vulnerability for this year’s flu season. According to Dr. Fauci in a June testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee: “If there is Covid-19 and flu activity at the same time, this could place a tremendous burden on the health care system related to bed occupancy, laboratory testing needs, [PPE] and health care worker safety.” In Dr. Fauci’s words, “getting a flu vaccine is more important now than ever.”
BACKGROUND & DISPARITIES
Despite well-established programs, influenza vaccination rates in U.S. adults are below federal benchmarks and exhibit well-documented racial disparities. The causes of these disparities are complex, though perceived racial discrimination in healthcare is one explanation.
RACIAL DISPARITIES: Black and Hispanic adults had lower vaccination coverage than White adults for all of the vaccines routinely recommended. In the 2018-19 flu season, Black adults were approximately 10 percent less likely to receive an influenza vaccine than White adults. Among high-risk Black seniors, this disparity persists.
GEOGRAPHIC DISPARITIES: Significant disparities exist between states’ influenza vaccination rates. South Carolina has a flu vaccination rate of 43 percent, two percent lower than the national average of 45 percent and 13 percent lower than the national high of Rhode Island’s 56 percent. South Carolina is in the bottom 15 states for influenza vaccination rates.
EXISTING FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Federal laws and programs allow for almost all children under 19 years of age to receive recommended vaccines at no cost, regardless of their health insurance status through:
3. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirement to cover the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended vaccines in covered plans.
Federal support for adult flu vaccine coverage is limited. Support primarily comes from population-based Section 317 grants and state-based funds to help meet unmet needs.
LEGISLATIVE OPTIONS
The Section 317 immunization grants are the most adaptable and expandable option for improving state and local health authorities’ distribution of the influenza vaccine. Options include expanding the number of 317 grants available, tying 317 grants to certain benchmarks/vaccination strategies, and increasing the overall funding available for 317 grants.
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