Declines in Influenza Vaccination Coverage in White and Black, Non-Hispanic Children from 2012-2019 to 2019-2022

Declines in routine influenza vaccination rates have become a cause for concern as influenza vaccine coverage rates have declined among Black, Non-Hispanic children compared to an increase in coverage among White, Non-Hispanic children ages 6 months to 17 years old. Influenza season years analyzed were 2012-2022 using data provided by the US Center for Disease Controls FluVaxView database. Data for this database is sourced from the National Immunization Survey-Flu (NIS-Flu) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. White, Non-Hispanic children saw an increase in vaccination coverage from 55.8% to 60.3%, whereas Black, Non-Hispanic children decreased from 58.2% to 52.9% coverage. Chi-squared tests with Yates correlation were performed to find statistical significance. Vaccination coverage rate changes for both demographics were found to be statistically significant at p < 0.00001. 70% influenza vaccination coverage rate remains the US Department of Healths HealthyPeople 2030 initiatives goal for all demographics and may be achieved by utilizing interventional tools such as motivational interviewing, provider-patient dialogue, community-based vaccination clinics, or home visits. Evidence-based interventional provider-patient dialogue has had success in increasing vaccination rates among other vaccines. Continued research into the cause of influenza vaccination rate decline among vulnerable and medically underserved populations is needed to best implement vaccine-based interventions.