When it comes to following public health directives, it seems that infants, toddlers and even those petulant adolescents are better listeners than grown-ups, as the 2009 National Health Interview Survey reveals that vaccination rates are low in U.S. adults. Data from the survey indicates a 7.4 percent decrease in total pneumococcal vaccination rates in adults between 19 and 64, and the decrease is more prevalent in minority groups. Sixty-five percent of white adults aged 65 and older received the vaccine, while only 45 percent of blacks and 40 percent of Hispanics were inoculated. There was some good news, however, as vaccination rates for newer vaccines such as the one against the human papillomavirus (HPV) increased from 6.6 percent in 2008 to 17 percent in 2009 for women between the ages of 19 and 26. Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccination also rose from 8 percent to 10 percent between 2008 and 2009, while the hepatitis B vaccine rose by 6 percent during the same time period.
ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross was amused by the he said, she said survey statistics that showed that even though 99 percent of physicians say that either they or a member of their staff discuss vaccines with every patient, only 44 percent of patients report that this was actually the case.
There are several obstacles as to why adults have lower immunization rates than children, some of which can be attributed to physician laxity about remembering to discuss vaccines with adult patients. Others include financial obstacles or the prevailing belief that vaccines are only for children, and adults don t have to worry about them, says Dr. Ross. Which is why people should read our publication Adult Immunization: The Need for Enhanced Utilization.