Medicare influenza vaccine demonstration--selected states, 1988-1992

Influenza and its complications remain a major cause of premature death and debilitating illness in the United States, particularly among older persons and those with chronic medical conditions. However, only 30% of persons greater than or equal to 65 years of age responding to the 1989 National Health Interview Survey reported having received influenza vaccine during the previous year (CDC, unpublished data, 1991). In 1988, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) and CDC began a congressionally mandated 4-year demonstration project to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of providing influenza vaccine under Medicare. This report reviews preliminary results of the Medicare Influenza Vaccine Demonstration during 1988-1992.