Demographic and Social Factors – Vaccines

Angie SzumlinskiFeatured, Health

“Older adults have experienced a higher risk for COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality and therefore have been prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination”, according to a recent CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. After the first 3.5 months of the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program, 79.1% of adults aged ≥65 years had received ≥1 dose, with higher vaccination initiation among men. Counties with lower vaccination initiation rates had higher percentages of older adults with social vulnerabilities.

Monitoring demographic and social factors affecting COVID-19 vaccine access for older adults and prioritizing efforts to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine are needed to ensure high coverage among this group. As of April 10, 2021, vaccination initiation rates among older adults nationwide were higher among men and persons aged 65-74 years than among women and persons aged ≥75 years. In comparison, according to reports of recent estimates, no differences by sex have been observed in initiation of vaccination with influenza and shingles vaccine, both of which are also recommended for older adults. Vaccination acceptance by age group and sex will be followed by the CDC to determine whether these differences persist as vaccine availability expands.

Please be sure that your residents and loved ones are being vaccinated, don’t delay, lives depend on this vaccine! Stay well and stay tuned!