Association between race/ethnicity and disability status and receipt of vaccines among older adults in Florida

Background

Individuals living with a disability or are a member of a certain racial/ethnic group may be at heightened risk for not receiving important vaccinations.

Objective

This study examined whether race/ethnicity and disability status are associated with the receipt of two vaccines (influenza and pneumococcal) among older adults living in Florida.

Methods

Using the 2011–2015 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a cross-sectional survey, we ran bivariate and multivariate analyses to determine the associations for race/ethnicity and disability status with receipt of vaccinations among individuals 65 years and older. Interactions between race/ethnicity and disability status were tested in each model.

Results

Among our study sample, 68% received the pneumococcal vaccine in their lifetime and 54% of them received influenza vaccine in the past 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to receive both vaccines compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. Older adults with a disability were more likely to receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccines compared to those without. A significant interaction was observed between race/ethnicity and disability status for predicting pneumococcal vaccination receipt.

Conclusions

Large proportions of older adults in Florida continue to go without needed vaccinations. Although race/ethnicity and disability status were shown to have some association with receipt of vaccines, having a regular source of care, employment and income also were shown to be important predictors.