Abstract:
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The live zoster, or shingles, vaccine (ZVL) has been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for adults aged >60 years since 2006. ZVL is licensed but not recommended by the ACIP for adults aged 50-59 years. In October 2017, ACIP recommended recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) for adults aged ?50 years. This study assessed ZVL coverage among adults aged ?60 years and 50-59 years before RZV was widely available. Data from the 2013-17 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed. In 2017, 34.9% of adults aged ?60 years reported shingles vaccination, an increase of 10.7 percentage points from 24.2% in 2013 (test for trend, p< 0.05). In 2017, coverage among adults aged ?60 years was lower among non-Hispanic blacks (17.1%), Hispanics (19.9%), and Asians (31.9%) compared with non-Hispanic whites (39.3%). Among adults aged 50-59 years, ZVL vaccination coverage was 5.7% in 2017 and coverage did not increase during 2013-2017 (test for trend, p>0.05). These findings provide a baseline for assessing introduction of RZV vaccine using future NHIS data. Increased efforts using comprehensive strategies are needed to improve shingles vaccination coverage.
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