Purpose
- Everyone can be the healthiest versions of themselves when they have opportunities, choices, and the conditions in their environments that help reduce the burden of severe flu outcomes.
- Flu can be serious and can lead to hospitalization and death.
- Longstanding social and structural factors can contribute to preventable differences in flu-related health outcomes.
- Preventable difference in burden of severe flu outcomes has been observed among various groups, particularly by race and ethnicity.
Overview
People can achieve their highest level of health when they have opportunities, choices, and the conditions in the environments where they are born, live, work, learn, play, age, and worship that improve their health and health outcomes. This includes ensuring everyone has the resources and opportunities they need, when they need them, to receive a flu vaccine.
Flu vaccination is the best protection
A flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications. In addition to reducing risk of flu illness, flu vaccination has been shown to reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick with flu. That means vaccinated people could be less likely to be hospitalized with flu or less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with flu.
Factors that contribute to differences in flu-related outcomes
Certain groups experience lower rates of flu vaccination coverage and higher burden of severe flu outcomes, including related hospitalizations. Several factors can contribute to flu-related disparities. These include, but are not limited to:
- lack of access to health care and insurance,
- higher prevalence of underlying medical conditions,
- missed opportunities to vaccinate (healthcare providers may be missing opportunities to vaccinate people during routine medical appointments),
- misinformation about vaccination, and
- distrust of medical institutions.
Identifying and responding to these differences and the underlying causes is important for achieving optimal health for all.
More Serious Flu Outcomes
Black, Hispanic, and American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people often have had higher rates of hospitalization associated with influenza (flu) across all ages, from 2009 to 2023, after adjusting for age.
Compared to White adults, age-adjusted flu hospitalization rates were:
- 1.8 times higher among Black adults
- 1.4 times higher among American Indian or Alaska Native adults
- 1.2 times higher among Hispanic or Latino adults
Compared with White children (0 to 17 years), age-adjusted flu hospitalization rates were:
- 2.5 times higher among American Indian/Alaska Native children
- 2.2 times higher among Black children
- 1.7 times higher among Hispanic or Latino children
*In all flu seasons except 2021-2022, rates reflect cases hospitalized during October 1 - April 30 of each flu season. In 2021-2022, rates reflect cases hospitalized beginning October 1, 2021, but given late flu season activity, the season was extended to June 11, 2022. Additionally, during the 2020-2021 season, case counts were not sufficient to allow reporting of stratified cumulative rates or weekly rates.
*In all flu seasons except 2021-2022, rates reflect cases hospitalized during October 1 - April 30 of each flu season. In 2021-2022, rates reflect cases hospitalized beginning October 1, 2021, but given late flu season activity, the season was extended to June 11, 2022. Additionally, during the 2020-2021 season, case counts were not sufficient to allow reporting of stratified cumulative rates or weekly rates.
Differences in Flu Vaccination Coverage Persist
Since 2010, flu vaccination coverage has been consistently lower among Black, Hispanic, and AI/AN adults. During the 2023–2024 season, flu vaccination coverage was:
- 50% among Asian adults
- 49% among White adults
- 42% among Black adults
- 35% among AI/AN adults and
- 35% among Hispanic adults
During the 2023–2024 season, among children (6 months–17 years), flu vaccination coverage was:
- 70% among Asian children
- 61% among Hispanic or Latino children
- 54% among AI/AN children
- 52% among White children
- 52% among Black children and
What you can do.
Getting a flu vaccine can protect against flu and flu-related serious complications. ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine each year, ideally by the end of October.
Other preventative actions can also help
In addition to getting a flu vaccine, everyone should take everyday preventive actions, including avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands often. This also can include taking steps for cleaner air and hygiene practices like cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
Treatment
ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø recommends early flu antiviral treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu who are at higher risk of serious flu complications.
What ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø is doing
ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø's Commitment to Promoting Healthy Lives for Everyone
Increasing flu vaccine uptake requires addressing the range of reasons why people do not get vaccinated. Over the past two years, ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø has begun programs to address barriers to and raise awareness about the importance of flu vaccination, specifically among populations that have historically been vaccinated at lower rates. . These include the Partnering for Vaccine Equity (P4VE) program and a targeted . Using proven measures may help increase vaccination rates among communities with the greatest need.
ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø is also continuing to collect data to better understand how certain groups are disproportionately impacted by flu-related hospitalization.