Adult immunization disparities: a challenge for the public health/primary care partnership

Vaccine preventable pneumonias account for 5% of all the years of potential life lost (YPLL) attributable to racial and ethnic health disparities. Eliminating disparities in influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates could eliminate many of these pneumonia deaths and hospitalizations among at-risk individuals. This represents one of the most focused and achievable targets within the broader agenda of eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities, which is one of two major health goals for the nation outlined in Healthy People 2010. A broad, three-dimensional conceptual framework guiding a strong public health/primary care partnership will be required to achieve this goal.