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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.