WASHINGTON, DC, December 9, 2022 — The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the voice of the country’s nearly 3,000 local health departments, published the second edition of the report Collaboration to Address Influenza Vaccination Among Older Adults. In July 2022, NACCHO leaders hosted and facilitated a collaborative virtual roundtable to address issues surrounding the current status of influenza vaccination of older adults. This report outlines NACCHO’s ongoing commitments to preventing the spread of influenza through increasing vaccination uptake this influenza season and beyond.

Prior to the initial meeting in June 2021, it was noted that the COVID-19 vaccination rate for older adults in 2020-2021 was 79%, whereas the influenza vaccination rate for the same age group was only 74%.

Participants agreed on a Call to Action with steps toward achieving an 80% influenza vaccination rate among adults, 65 years of age and older, for the 2021–2022 influenza season.

“Throughout this influenza season and beyond, NACCHO looks forward to continuing to work with national and state level partners to enhance and support the critical work of local health departments in ensuring all community members have access to and confidence in influenza vaccination,” said Lori Tremmel Freeman, NACCHO Chief Executive Officer.

Early data from July 2022 showed lagging vaccine uptake and an earlier onset of increasing case counts than is typical. These occurrences highlight the critical role that national, state, and local public health organizations play in developing ongoing vaccination strategies and tactics.

Participants recommended specific actions within four themes – access, communication, data and reporting, and policy. These areas of focus were built upon the foundation of equity and partnerships.

Additionally, participants discussed the current climate of public health and the effect COVID-19 has had. These matters are highlighted throughout the report and include:

• Recommendations for enhanced dose for 65+, as codified by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
• The development of new bivalent COVID-19 boosters; and
• The urgent need for response and mitigation during the current respiratory season, including a vigorous response to other infectious diseases and resuming vaccination schedules after COVID-19.

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About NACCHO

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the country’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.