Influenza vaccination coverage among US children from 2004/2005 to 2015/2016.

Background: Quantify the influenza vaccine coverage is essential to identify emerging concerns and to immunization programs for targeting interventions.

Methods: Data from National Health Interview Survey were used to estimate receipt of at least one dose of influenza vaccination among children 6 months to 17 years of age.

Results: Influenza vaccination coverage increased from 16.70% during 2004/2005 to 49.43% during 2015/2016 (3.18% per year, P < 0.001); however, the coverage increased slightly after 2010/2011. Children at high risk of influenza complications had higher influenza vaccination coverage than non at-risk children. Boys and girls had similar coverage each year. While the coverage increased from 2004/2005 to 2015/2016 for all age groups, the coverage decreased with age each year (-0.64 to -1.58% per age group). There was a higher and rapid increase of coverage in Northeast than Midwest, South and West. American Indian or Alaskan Native and Asian showed higher coverage than other race groups (White, Black/African American, Multiple race). Multivariable analysis showed that high-risk status and region had the greatest associations with levels of vaccine coverage.

Conclusions: Although the influenza vaccination coverage among children had increased remarkably since 2004/2005, establishing more effective immunization programs are warranted to achieve the Healthy People 2020 target.