By December, vaccination rates stood at 48% among white respondents; 35.1% among Hispanic respondents, and 30.1% among Black respondents. Among respondents with annual incomes of $75,000 or more, 50.7% had been immunized, compared to 35% of respondents making less than $25,000 a year.
Rates were also lower among adults under 30 and those without a college degree.
“It was disappointing to see that significant differences by race, age, education and income persisted during a flu vaccination season that took place during a COVID pandemic,” said survey co-leader Michael Cacciatore, research director of the Center for Health and Risk Communication.
“It’s important that we continue to learn more about why these disparities exist so we can take steps that will reduce them,” he said in the release.
Nowak said it was good to find that many Americans, especially those at highest risk for serious flu or COVID-19, followed public health advice to get a flu shot.
“Hopefully, we can sustain that level of success in the years ahead,” he said.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on seasonal flu vaccination.
