Racial and Ethnic Trends in Recommended Vaccinations Among US Adults, National Health Interview Survey 2006–2021

Abstract

Objectives:

Reducing racial/ethnic disparities in immunization rates is a major goal of Healthy people 2030. There is a lack of clear understanding regarding the trends in vaccination rates for recommended vaccines among different racial/ethnic subgroups. This study aims to describe United States adult vaccination trends by race/ethnicity between 2006-2021.

Study Design:

This is a cross-sectional study using the National Health Interview Survey data.

Methods

Temporal trends in influenza, pneumococcal, herpes zoster (shingles), hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination rates were examined by race/ethnicity between 2006-2021. Absolute annual change in vaccine rates were estimated using joinpoint regression. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

In 2021, Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) and Hispanics had significantly lower influenza rates compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). Similarly, NHBs, Hispanics and Asians had significantly lower rates of pneumococcal and shingles vaccinations compared to NHWs. On the other hand, Asians had significantly higher hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination rates compared to NHWs. Since 2006, influenza vaccine rates have increased steadily across all race/ethnicity groups (p<0.001). However, pneumococcal vaccination rates increased only among NHBs and Asians (p=0.01). Shingles and hepatitis A vaccination rates increased for NHWs (p<0.001), NHBs (p<0.001 and p=0.016, respectively) and Hispanics (p<0.001 and p=0.043, respectively). Hepatitis B vaccination rates increased only for NHWs (p=0.04).

Conclusion

Racial/ethnic disparities in recommended vaccines continue to persist. This necessitates ongoing efforts to reduce disparities.