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Percent of Adults (65+) Immunized Against Influenza
Current Value
76%
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
The rate of adults age 65 + receiving flu vaccines has remained relatively stable recently. Vermonters 65 years and older can receive the flu vaccine at provider practices, pharmacies, flu clinics held throughout Vermont by visiting nurse associations and at some worksites.
Why Is This Important?
Annual Influenza immunizations are recommended for everyone over 6 months of age, but children and elderly are at a particularly high risk. Flu vaccination is also especially important for adults 65 years and older who have a higher risk of hospitalization and death if they become ill with the flu. Vermonters 65 years and older can receive the flu vaccine at provider practices, pharmacies, flu clinics held throughout Vermont by visiting nurse associations and at some worksites.
Note on Methodology
For youth data: Vermont Immunization Registry: Actual rates may be higher than indicated since the use of the Vermont Immunization Registry is not universal among practitioners.
For adult data: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Due to BRFSS weighting methodology changes beginning in 2011, comparisons between data collected in 2011 and later and that from 2010 and earlier should be made with caution. Differences between data from 2011 forward and earlier years may be due to methodological changes, rather than changes in opinion or behavior.
Beginning with the 2020-21 flu season the Vermont Health Department used a census-based denominator as opposed to a denominator derived directly from the immunization registry. Therefore, direct comparisons before and after this change is not recommended.
This indicator is age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. In U.S. data, age adjustment is used for comparison of regions with varying age breakdowns. In order to remain consistent with the methods of comparison at a national level, some statistics in Vermont were age adjusted. In cases where age adjustment was noted as being part of the statistical analysis, the estimates were adjusted based on the proportional age breakdowns of the U.S. population in 2000. For more detailed information on age adjustment visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/statnt/statnt20.pdf.
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