Examining the coverage of influenza vaccination among people with cardiovascular disease in the United States

Background People with chronic cardiovascular conditions are at increased risk of developing complications from relative common influenza infection. Methods We examined the coverage of influenza vaccination during the past 12 months among people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) using data from the National Health Interview Survey 2002. Results The coverage of influenza vaccination among people with CVD was observed to be less than optimum (32.7%) after adjusting for age. Among separate components studied, the coverage of influenza vaccination was highest among people with congestive heart failure (37.1%) and lowest among people with stroke (31.4%). Hypertension was the most commonly reported condition with influenza vaccination coverage of 32.6%. Only 22% of people with CVD aged <50 years reported receiving influenza vaccine in the past 12 months. For people in higher age groups with CVD, the coverage was 40.5% and 69.9% among people aged 50 to 64 years and ≥65 years, respectively. Conclusions People with CVD, especially those <50 years of age, should be encouraged to receive influenza vaccination to prevent influenza-related cardiovascular complications.