The Influenza Vaccination Coverage in Long-term Care Settings

What is the current influenza vaccination coverage rate among health care personnel (HCP)?

As reported in the September 29, 2017 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), overall, 78.6% of HCP reported having received an influenza vaccination for the 2016-17 season, similar to the reported coverage among HCP in the previous three influenza seasons. Vaccination coverage was highest among HCP working in hospitals (92.3%) and lowest among HCP working in long-term care settings (68.0%). Since the 2011-12 influenza season, HCP in LTC settings continue to have the lowest reported influenza vaccination rates among all HCP. In comparison, the Healthy People 2020 annual target goal for influenza vaccination among health care personnel is 90 percent (see Healthy People 2020 objective IID-12.9). **

** The methods used in the Internet panel survey differ from those of the NHIS; thus, results from the Internet panel survey should not be directly compared to the Healthy People 2020 target.

FIGURE. Percentage of health care personnel* (HCP) who reported receiving influenza vaccination, by work setting and occupation type — Internet panel surveys, United States, 2010–11 through 2016–17 influenza seasons

To estimate influenza vaccination coverage among U.S. HCP for the 2016–17 influenza season, CDC conducted an opt-in Internet panel survey of 2,438 HCP during March 28–April 19, 2017. While overall HCP flu vaccination for the 2016-17 season was similar to coverage in the 2015-16 season, coverage was higher in 2016–17 compared to the 2015-16 season among pharmacists (93.7% versus 86.5%) and assistants/aides (69.1% versus 64.1%). Coverage for other occupation types was similar in both seasons. For more information on influenza vaccination coverage and key findings related to employer requirements or recommendations, visit Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel,  United States, 2016-2017 Influenza Season.