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Influenza Vaccinations During the COVID-19 Pandemic - 11 U.S. Jurisdictions, September-December 2020.
- Source :
-
MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report [MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep] 2021 Nov 12; Vol. 70 (45), pp. 1575-1578. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Nov 12. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Influenza causes considerable morbidity and mortality in the United States. Between 2010 and 2020, an estimated 9-41 million cases resulted in 140,000-710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000-52,000 deaths annually (1). As the United States enters the 2021-22 influenza season, the potential impact of influenza illnesses is of concern given that influenza season will again coincide with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which could further strain overburdened health care systems. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine annual influenza vaccination for the 2021-22 influenza season for all persons aged ≥6 months who have no contraindications (2). To assess the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on influenza vaccination coverage, the percentage change between administration of at least 1 dose of influenza vaccine during September-December 2020 was compared with the average administered in the corresponding periods in 2018 and 2019. The data analyzed were reported from 11 U.S. jurisdictions with high-performing state immunization information systems.* Overall, influenza vaccine administration was 9.0% higher in 2020 compared with the average in 2018 and 2019, combined. However, in 2020, the number of influenza vaccine doses administered to children aged 6-23 months and children aged 2-4 years, was 13.9% and 11.9% lower, respectively than the average for each age group in 2018 and 2019. Strategic efforts are needed to ensure high influenza vaccination coverage among all age groups, especially children aged 6 months-4 years who are not yet eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Administration of influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine among eligible populations is especially important to reduce the potential strain that influenza and COVID-19 cases could place on health care systems already overburdened by COVID-19.<br />Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Advisory Committees
Aged
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
Child
Child, Preschool
Humans
Immunization standards
Infant
Influenza, Human epidemiology
Influenza, Human prevention & control
Middle Aged
Seasons
United States epidemiology
Young Adult
COVID-19 epidemiology
Influenza Vaccines administration & dosage
Pandemics
Vaccination statistics & numerical data
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1545-861X
- Volume :
- 70
- Issue :
- 45
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 34758010
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7045a3