Older adults group

New Report: Lessons Learned from COVID Vaccination to Improve Flu Vaccination Among Seniors

Oct 13, 2021 | Theresa Spinner

Washington, DC, October 13, 2021 —The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the voice of the country’s nearly 3,000 local health departments, has issued a new report, entitled Collaboration to Address Influenza Among Older Adults, to highlight lessons learned from the COVID-19 vaccination effort and how those can inform efforts to improve vaccination rates for influenza, particularly amongst older Americans.

As the nation continues to address the COVID-19 pandemic and enters another influenza season, it is imperative that public health partners work diligently to vaccinate older adults for the 2021-2022 influenza season, as well as consider the collective COVID-19 experience, utilize lessons learned, capitalize on opportunities to vaccinate, and overcome obstacles that have arisen from living through a pandemic.

The report highlights possible challenges to influenza vaccination for the 2021-2022 season, including:

  • Lower rates of flu last season will not inspire seniors to get the flu vaccine before the 2021–2022 season;
  • There is less urgency because many do not perceive flu as a serious threat relative to the seriousness of COVID-19;
  • There is likely an increased susceptibility to flu this year as people emerge from lockdown;
  • Many human and financial resources were taken up by COVID-19 campaign efforts, leaving fewer resources for flu campaigns and outreach;
  • The efficacy of the flu vaccine is lower than the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, which might diminish confidence now that efficacy is more widely understood; and
  • No flu vaccination incentives are available that can compare to the COVID-19 vaccine incentives.
  • Institutionalize and adapt COVID-19 programs that can jointly serve influenza vaccination. Fund vaccine infrastructure to capitalize on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report’s actional recommendations address four main themes – policy, access, data and reporting, and communications. Underpinning each of these themes was a focus on equity and partnerships to implement the recommendations and reach goals of equitable access to and uptake of influenza vaccine, including:

  • Make it easy for people: provide transportation, judicious use of technology, and address language and literacy barriers.
  • Move from crisis-born relationships to long-term partnerships in public health.
  • Increase interoperability of adult immunization registries.
  • Create and distribute effective messaging.

The report is the culmination of a NACCHO-led convening of more than 50 public health experts. On June 28, 2021, NACCHO hosted leaders representing state and local health departments, non-profits, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, universities, and private industry sectors during a virtual roundtable discussion. Participants met to identify the best approaches and strategies for ensuring influenza vaccination in individuals 65 years of age and older, as well as to discuss insights, concerns, and recommendations regarding possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to and impacts influenza vaccinations.

To learn more about the NACCHO National Stakeholder Consultation Meeting and recommendations to address influenza vaccination among older adults, access the full report – Collaboration to Address Influenza Among Older Adults. Visit NACCHO’s Essential Elements blog to access an article further highlighting this meeting.

###

About NACCHO
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the nation’s nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit www.naccho.org.


National association of county and city health officials naccho squarelogo

About Theresa Spinner

Theresa Spinner is the Director, Media and Public Relations at NACCHO.

More posts by Theresa Spinner

Related Posts

RFA FLEXED
  • Funding Opportunity Epidemiology ID Featured Infectious Disease

Now Accepting Applications: FLEXED Learning Community...

Applications are now open through May 5 for NACCHO’s FLEXED Learning Community.

Apr 22, 2025 | Jaclyn Abramson

Now Accepting Applications: FLEXED Learning Community...

I Stock 1216304502
  • Tools & Resources Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health

New NACCHO Course: “Infant and Toddler Nutrition...

NACCHO releases a self-paced, online training course: Infant and Toddler...

Apr 22, 2025 | Talei Moore

New NACCHO Course: “Infant and Toddler Nutrition...

  • Harm Reduction Drug Overdose Prevention Substance Use Disorder

Evaluating the Distribution of Smoking Supplies as a...

Learn more about NACCHO’s webinar, “Evaluating the Distribution of Smoking...

Apr 09, 2025 | Anjana Rao

Evaluating the Distribution of Smoking Supplies as a...

New Pathways to Prevention: Expanding Harm Reduction’s...

NACCHO explores national trends related to smoking and highlights the findings...

Mar 28, 2025 | Anjana Rao

New Pathways to Prevention: Expanding Harm Reduction’s...

I Stock 1030901680
  • Funding Opportunity Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health Opportunity

Request for Applications: Family Healthy Weight Program...

Apply to participate in the Family Health Weight Program (FHWP) Action...

Mar 26, 2025 | Freweyni Gemerew, Talei Moore

Request for Applications: Family Healthy Weight Program...

World TB Day 2025 1
  • Infectious Disease Tuberculosis Community Health ID Featured

TB Elimination at Risk: How You Can Help on World TB Day...

Learn how you can spread awareness of TB this World TB Day 2025.

Mar 24, 2025 | Irene Halferty, Kimberly Nalley

TB Elimination at Risk: How You Can Help on World TB Day...

Opportunity
  • Health Equity & Social Justice Vulnerable Populations

Emergency Readiness and Response: Engaging Communities...

This opportunity aims to strengthen the capacity of health departments to...

Mar 12, 2025 | Grace Murtha

Emergency Readiness and Response: Engaging Communities...

  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis

Community of Practice: Syndemic Approaches at Local...

NACCHO is recruiting LHDs for a CoP on advancing syndemic approaches to the...

Mar 10, 2025 | Kat Kelley

Community of Practice: Syndemic Approaches at Local...

IPC Workshops Opportunity Ver 4
  • Antimicrobial Resistance Healthcare-Associated Infections ID Featured Infection, Prevention, and Control

Infection Prevention and Control Training Workshops:...

NACCHO and CDC’s Project Firstline will host new workshops on effective...

Mar 07, 2025 | Jaclyn Abramson, Irene Halferty

Infection Prevention and Control Training Workshops:...

Back to Top