AARP Issue Brief Cites Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Medicare Immunizations
"Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunization Rates among Medicare Beneficiaries," AARP Public Policy Institute: The issue brief examines federal and state strategies to reduce immunization disparities in underserved populations. According to the brief, 45% of blacks older than age 65 and 55% of older Hispanics in 2004 received flu vaccines, compared with 67% of older whites. For pneumonia immunizations that same year, 39% of blacks and 34% of Hispanics were vaccinated, compared with 61% of whites. The brief also examines immunization recommendations for adults older than age 65 and current Medicare immunization coverage policies (Flowers, "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunization Rates among Medicare Beneficiaries," June 2007).
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