Routine Vaccinations: Adult Rates Vary by Vaccine Type and Other Factors - Government Accountability Office

What GAO Found

Based on survey data it reviewed, GAO estimated that adults' receipt of four routine vaccines at the ages they are recommended for all adults—flu, pneumococcal, shingles, and tetanus—varied by type of vaccine, state, and other factors, such as race and ethnicity.

• Vaccine type: Estimated adult vaccination rates for tetanus and pneumococcal were nearly 40 percentage points higher than the rate for the shingles vaccine.
• State: Most states had estimated vaccination rates that fell within 5 percentage points of these national averages, with 16 states consistently above—and 9 states consistently below—the median vaccination rate.
• Race and ethnicity: Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino adults generally had estimated vaccination rates 13 or more percentage points below that of White adults for each of the four vaccines.

Estimated National Adult Vaccination Rates for Four Routine Vaccines

Factors stakeholders identified as affecting routine adult vaccination rates included the extent to which providers screen adults for vaccines, adults' use of health care services, and the cost of vaccines for certain adults. For example, a full series of the shingles vaccine cost certain Medicare beneficiaries about $100 on average in 2021.

GAO found that the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) has a variety of efforts to improve adult vaccination rates. These efforts include raising public and provider awareness of the importance of vaccines and partnering with organizations, such as those representing health care providers, to encourage vaccination. GAO also found that 45 states had programs offering free routine vaccines to certain adults. These programs varied across a number of factors.

• Number of vaccines offered: Fifteen states offered the 12 routine adult vaccines that GAO examined, including the four vaccines above. The remaining states offered one to 11 of the 12 vaccines.
• Eligible populations: Most states offered vaccines to all uninsured adults and to adults who met each state's definition of underinsured. One state offered vaccines to all adults aged 19 through 64, and two states limited eligibility to adults at high-risk for certain diseases, such as hepatitis A or B.
• Enrolled providers: Thirty-two states limited the types of providers that could administer vaccines. For example, some states limited enrollment to public health departments. Thirteen states allowed any provider to enroll.

Why GAO Did This Study

The U.S. has made significant progress against vaccine-preventable diseases. However, gaps in receipt of recommended vaccinations—especially among adults—has resulted in preventable disease, disability, and death. While children are guaranteed coverage of routine vaccines, certain adults have limited vaccine coverage, or may face out of pockets costs that contribute to lower vaccination rates. The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to a decline in the receipt of routine vaccines.

GAO was asked to review vaccination rates, as well as how the federal government and states address coverage of routine vaccines. This report describes estimated adult vaccination rates; factors that could affect such rates; state programs that provide free vaccines to adults; and HHS efforts to improve adult vaccination rates.

GAO (1) analyzed national survey data for 2019 and 2020—the most current available at the time—on the receipt of four routine vaccines at the ages recommended for all adults: 18 years and older for flu and tetanus, 50 years and older for shingles, and 65 years and older for pneumococcal; (2) interviewed 13 stakeholders representing a range of perspectives on vaccination, including providers and vaccine manufacturers; (3) collected information from all states on programs that offered free routine adult vaccines; and (4) reviewed HHS documents and interviewed HHS officials.

HHS provided technical comments on a draft of this report, which GAO incorporated as appropriate.

For more information, contact Carolyn L. Yocom at (202) 512-7114 or yocomc@gao.gov.