Influenza immunization rates for Louisiana Medicare beneficiaries (1993-1995): a need for interventions

Influenza is a disease, especially in the elderly, with potentially serious health and fiscal consequences. Vaccines, even though available and proven to be efficacious for prevention, appear to be underutilized in the Medicare population. This paper highlights influenza immunization rates from 1993-1995 for Louisiana Medicare eligible beneficiaries served by Louisiana providers. The authors discuss some of the current efforts underway to increase the number of influenza vaccinations. This was a retrospective study of claims based data on Medicare beneficiaries in Louisiana. Rates were also compared to other states from published Health Care Financing Administration data over the study period. In Louisiana, from 1993-1995, approximately 31% of Medicare beneficiaries age 65 years or older received an influenza vaccination that was paid for by Health Care Financing Administration. This finding indicates an attainment of half of the Department of Health and Human Services Year 2000 goal of 60% influenza immunization rate. The rate for Medicare African-American beneficiaries was approximately one half that of Caucasian beneficiaries. Overall, the billing data indicated that female beneficiaries received influenza immunization slightly more often than male. Medicare beneficiaries aged 75 to 84 years were immunized proportionally more than other age groups. The age group with the smallest percentage of immunized beneficiaries was 85 years or older. These results and rates obtained from the National Health Information Survey and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for the state collectively indicate marked opportunity for improvement in immunization rates for the State of Louisiana. Health care providers can assist and play an integral role in interventions designed to impact on this vulnerable population in order to meet the Department of Health and Human Services Year 1996 overall goal of 56% influenza immunization rate for all persons age 65 years or older.