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Elderly Vaccine Rates Plummet: A Public Health Crisis?
22 Jan
Summary
- Flu vaccine rates for seniors dropped six percent in 2024.
- Pneumonia vaccine uptake also declined in adults over 65.
- Experts cite insurance barriers and vaccine distrust as possible causes.
Alarming data from the CDC reveals a significant drop in flu and pneumonia vaccination rates among Americans aged 65 and older. In 2024, flu vaccination for this demographic fell to just two-thirds of the population, a six percent decrease from the previous year.
Pneumonia vaccine uptake has also declined, with 65 percent of older adults having received the vaccine in their lifetime as of 2024, down from 67 percent in 2019. This decrease is concerning given that older adults are at the highest risk for severe complications from these respiratory illnesses.
Experts suggest potential reasons for this decline include barriers related to insurance and Medicare, alongside a growing distrust in medical professionals and vaccines. This trend is particularly worrying due to the circulation of a new 'super flu' strain, H3N2 subclade K.
The CDC emphasizes that vaccination is crucial for preventing illness and severe outcomes in older adults, who are most vulnerable to hospitalization and death from influenza and pneumonia due to weakened immune systems.
