— Christine M. Kukka, Project Manager, HBV Advocate
In a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, a Centers for Disease Prevention and Control finds that foreign-born residents in the U.S. have far lower immunization rates than do U.S.-born residents.
They reviewed immunization rates in adults reported in the 2012 National Health Interview Survey for a variety of diseases and found large discrepancies.
Native residents had significantly higher vaccination rates than foreign-born respondents:
- Influenza rates were 40.4% vs. 33.8% in foreign-born residents
- Pneumonia vaccine rates were 62.6% vs. 40.5% in the elderly,
- And hepatitis B rates were 37.2% vs. 28.4%, even though foreign-born residents generally are at higher risk of HBV infection.
"It is important to consider foreign birth and immigration status when assessing vaccination disparities and planning interventions," CDC officials recommend.
Labels: foreign born, immunization rates