NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 281 ■ June 2017

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Vaccination Coverage Among Adults Aged 65 and Over: 

United States, 2015

Tina Norris, Ph.D., Anjel Vahratian, Ph.D., and Robin A. Cohen, Ph.D.

Key findings 

Data from the National 

Health Interview Survey

● Among adults aged 65 and

over, more than two-thirds had

an influenza vaccine in the past

12 months (69.0%).

● More than one in two adults

aged 65 and over had a tetanus

vaccine in the past 10 years

(56.9%).

● More than 6 of 10 adults

aged 65 and over had ever

had a pneumococcal vaccine

(63.6%), while a little more

than one-third had ever had a

shingles vaccine (34.2%).

● Among adults aged 65 and

over, vaccination coverage was

highest for non-Hispanic white

adults compared with nonHispanic black and Hispanic

adults.

● Vaccination coverage was

lowest among poor adults aged

65 and over.

Older adults have greater susceptibility to and complications from disease 

and so, they stand to benefit greatly from vaccinations as a preventive health 

measure (1,2). This report describes the receipt of an influenza vaccination 

in the past 12 months, at least one dose of pneumococcal vaccine, a one-time 

dose of shingles vaccine, and a tetanus booster in the last 10 years among 

community-dwelling adults aged 65 and over. Data are presented by sex, age 

group, race and ethnicity, and poverty status. 

Keywords: prevention • adult immunization • medical care • National Health 

Interview Survey

The percentage of adults aged 65 and over who had an 

influenza vaccine in the past 12 months was highest among 

those aged 75 and over and not poor.

1

Significant linear trend by age group (p < 0.05). 2

Significantly different from non-Hispanic Asian persons (p < 0.05). 3

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black and Hispanic persons (p < 0.05). 4

Significant quadratic trend by poverty status (p < 0.05).

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 1 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db281_table.pdf#1.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2015 Family and Sample Adult component.

 

 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. Percentage of adults aged 65 and over who had an influenza vaccine in the past 

12 months, by selected demographics: United States, 2015
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 281 ■ June 2017

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● Among adults aged 65 and over, 69.0% had received an influenza vaccine in the past 12

months (Figure 1).

● The percentage of men who had received an influenza vaccine in the last 12 months (70.4%)

was higher than, but not significantly different from, that of women (67.9%).

● Influenza vaccination coverage increased from 66.9% among adults aged 65–74 to 71.7%

among those aged 75–84 and 72.8% among those aged 85 and over.

● Non-Hispanic white adults (71.4%) were more likely than Hispanic (56.8%) and nonHispanic black (59.6%) adults to have received an influenza vaccine in the past 12 months.

● Among adults aged 65 and over, those who were not poor (71.7%) were most likely to have

received an influenza vaccine in the past 12 months, followed by near-poor (63.0%) and

poor (61.6%) adults.

The percentage of adults aged 65 and over who ever had a pneumococcal 

vaccine was highest among those who were aged 75 and over, 

non-Hispanic white, and not poor. 

● Nearly two-thirds of adults aged 65 and over ever had a pneumococcal vaccine (63.6%)

(Figure 2).

● The percentage of women aged 65 and over who ever had a pneumococcal vaccine (64.2%)

was higher than, but not significantly different from, that of men (62.9%).

1

Significant quadratic trend by age group (p < 0.05). 2

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Asian persons (p < 0.05). 3

Significantly different from Hispanic persons (p < 0.05). 4

Significant quadratic trend by poverty status (p < 0.05).

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 2 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db281_table.pdf#2.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2015 Family and Sample Adult component.

 

Figure 2. Percentage of adults aged 65 and over who ever had a pneumococcal vaccine, by selected demographics: 

United States, 2015 

 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 281 ■ June 2017

■  3  ■

● Pneumococcal vaccination increased from 60.2% for those aged 65–74 to 68.6% among 

those aged 75–84. Among adults aged 85 and over, 68.3% had ever had a pneumococcal 

vaccine.

● Among adults aged 65 and over, non-Hispanic white adults (68.1%) were more likely than 

the other racial and ethnic groups to have ever had a pneumococcal vaccine.

● Pneumococcal vaccination coverage increased with higher family income. Among adults 

aged 65 and over, 48.7% of poor adults ever had a pneumococcal vaccine, compared with 

61.7% of near-poor and 66.0% of not-poor adults. 

The percentage of adults aged 65 and over who had a tetanus vaccine in 

the past 10 years was highest among men and those who were aged 65–74, 

non-Hispanic white, and not poor. 

● More than one-half of adults aged 65 and over had a tetanus vaccine in the past 10 years 

(56.9%) (Figure 3).

● Among adults aged 65 and over, men (60.7%) were more likely than women (53.7%) to 

have had a tetanus vaccine in the past 10 years.

● Tetanus vaccination coverage in the past 10 years decreased with advancing age, from 

61.0% among adults aged 65–74 to 47.6% among adults aged 85 and over.

1

Significantly different from women (p < 0.05). 2

Significant linear trend by age group (p < 0.05). 3

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Asian persons (p < 0.05). 4

Significantly different from Hispanic persons (p < 0.05). 5

Significant linear trend by poverty status (p < 0.05).

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 3 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db281_table.pdf#3.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2015 Family and Sample Adult component.

 

Figure 3. Percentage of adults aged 65 and over who had a tetanus vaccine in the past 10 years, by selected 

demographics: United States, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 281 ■ June 2017

■  4  ■

● Among adults aged 65 and over, non-Hispanic white adults (59.4%) were more likely than 

other racial and ethnic groups to have had a tetanus vaccine in the past 10 years.

● Among adults aged 65 and over, tetanus vaccination coverage in the past 10 years increased 

with family income, from 41.1% among poor adults to 61.0% among not-poor adults.

The percentage of adults aged 65 and over who ever had a shingles 

vaccine was highest among women and those who were under age 85, 

non-Hispanic white, and not poor.

● A little more than one-third of adults aged 65 and over have ever had a shingles vaccine 

(34.2%) (Figure 4).

● Among adults aged 65 and over, women (35.7%) were more likely than men (32.4%) to 

have had a shingles vaccine.

● Shingles vaccination coverage decreased with advancing age, from 35.9% among adults 

aged 65–74 to 28.7% among adults aged 85 and over.

● Among adults aged 65 and over, non-Hispanic white adults (38.3%) were more likely than 

other racial and ethnic groups to have had a shingles vaccine.

● Shingles vaccination coverage increased with family income among adults aged 65 and 

over, from 14.8% among those who were poor to 39.6% among those who were not poor.

1

Significantly different from women (p < 0.05). 2

Significant linear trend by age group (p < 0.05). 3

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Asian persons (p < 0.05). 4

Significantly different from Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian persons (p < 0.05). 5

Significantly different from Hispanic persons (p < 0.05). 6

Significant linear trend by poverty status (p < 0.05).

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 4 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db281_table.pdf#4.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2015 Family and Sample Adult component.

 

Figure 4. Percentage of adults aged 65 and over who ever had a shingles vaccine, by selected demographics: 

United States, 2015 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 281 ■ June 2017

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Summary

In 2015, more than 47 million individuals living in the United States were aged 65 or over (3). 

Because these older adults are at increased risk of complications from vaccine-preventable 

infections, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination 

for influenza, two doses of pneumococcal vaccine, one dose of shingles vaccine, and a tetanus 

booster every 10 years (4). However, two-thirds of adults aged 65 and over have never had a 

shingles vaccine, and nearly one-half had not had a tetanus vaccine in the past 10 years. Although 

the receipt of an influenza vaccine during the past 12 months (69.0%) and at least one dose of 

pneumococcal vaccine (63.6%) were more common among this age group, gaps in coverage 

remain. 

Vaccination coverage varied by age. Vaccination for influenza in the past 12 months and having 

had at least one dose for pneumococcal disease at some point in the past were higher among the 

community-dwelling population aged 85 and over compared with adults aged 65–74. Individuals 

aged 85 and over, however, were less likely than adults aged 65–84 to have been vaccinated for 

tetanus in the past 10 years or to have been vaccinated for shingles at any time in the past. 

Vaccination also varied by sex. Among adults aged 65 and over, men were more likely than 

women to have had a tetanus vaccine in the past 10 years. However, men were less likely than 

women to have had a shingles vaccine at some point in the past.

Previous research has documented racial and ethnic differences in vaccination coverage and 

attributed such differences to structural, systematic, and social barriers to care (5,6). Findings 

from the current study support previous research. Vaccination coverage for those aged 65 and 

over varied by race and ethnicity. Non-Hispanic white adults were more likely than Hispanic 

and non-Hispanic black adults to have had an influenza vaccine in the past 12 months. NonHispanic white adults were more likely than Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and non-Hispanic 

Asian adults to have had a tetanus vaccine in the past 10 years or to ever have had a vaccination 

for pneumococcal disease or shingles. Non-Hispanic black adults were less likely than Hispanic 

adults to have been vaccinated for tetanus or shingles but were more likely to have received a 

pneumococcal vaccine. 

Vaccination coverage was positively associated with family income. Adults aged 65 and over who 

were not poor were the most likely to have been vaccinated for influenza, pneumococcal disease, 

tetanus, and shingles. 

Definitions

Influenza vaccine: Based on a positive response to the survey question, “During the past 12 

months, have you had a flu shot? A flu shot is usually given in the fall and protects against 

influenza for the flu season.” Nasal flu vaccine was excluded because it was not recommended for 

adults aged 65 and over in 2015.

Pneumococcal vaccine: Based on a positive response to the survey question, “Have you ever had 

a pneumonia shot? This shot is usually given only once or twice in a person’s lifetime and is 

different from the flu shot. It is also called the pneumococcal vaccine.”
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 281 ■ June 2017

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Poverty status: Based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty 

thresholds for the previous calendar year. “Poor” adults are defined as having incomes below 

the federal poverty level (FPL). “Near-poor” adults are defined as having family incomes that 

are 100% to less than 200% of the FPL. “Not-poor” adults are defined as having incomes that 

are 200% or greater than the FPL. The 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) imputed 

income files were used to help create the poverty variable, and this variable is based on reported 

and imputed family income (7).

Shingles vaccine: Based on a positive response to the survey question, “Have you ever had the 

zoster or shingles vaccine, also called Zostavax?”

Tetanus vaccine: Based on a positive response to the survey question, “Have you received a 

tetanus shot in the past 10 years?”

Data source and methods

Data from the 2015 NHIS were used for this analysis. NHIS is a multipurpose health survey 

conducted continuously throughout the year by interviewers from the U.S. Census Bureau for the 

National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Interviews are conducted in person in respondents’

homes but follow-ups to complete interviews may be conducted over the telephone. Data for 

this analysis come from the Family Core and Sample Adult components of NHIS. For further 

information about NHIS, including the questionnaire, visit the NHIS website at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

All analyses used national estimates that are representative of the civilian noninstitutionalized 

(community-dwelling) adult population aged 65 and over living in households across the United 

States. The sample design and data weighting procedures are described in more detail elsewhere 

(8). Linear trends and point estimates and their estimated variances were calculated using 

SUDAAN software (9) to account for the complex sample design of NHIS. All estimates shown 

in this report meet NCHS standards of reliability (relative standard error less than or equal to 

30%). Differences between percentages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 

0.05 level. Influenza vaccination estimates included in this report may differ from estimates for 

specific influenza seasons. Estimates for specific influenza seasons are available from the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/index.htm. 

Because the survey did not ask about the type or number of doses of pneumococcal vaccine 

received, pneumococcal vaccination estimates do not reflect the proportion of individuals that 

were completely vaccinated according to ACIP recommendations.

About the authors

Tina Norris, Anjel Vahratian, and Robin A. Cohen are with the National Center for Health 

Statistics, Division of Health Interview Statistics.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 281 ■ June 2017

■ 7  ■

References

1. Williams WW, Lu PJ, O’Halloran A, Kim DK, Grohskopf LA, Pilishvili T, et al. Surveillance

of vaccination coverage among adult populations—United States, 2015. MMWR Surveill Summ

66(11):1–28. 2017. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6611a1.

2. Pilkinton MA, Talbot HK. Update on vaccination guidelines for older adults. J Am Geriatr

Soc 63(3):584–8. 2015.

3. U.S. Census Bureau. Annual estimates of the resident population for selected age groups by

sex for the United States, states, counties, and Puerto Rico commonwealth and municipios:

April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015.

4. Kim DK, Riley LE, Harriman KH, Hunter P, Bridges CB, Advisory Committee on

Immunization Practices. Recommended immunization schedule for adults aged 19 years or older,

United States, 2017. Ann Intern Med 166(3):209–19. 2017.

5. Larson E. Racial and ethnic disparities in immunizations: Recommendations for clinicians.

Fam Med 35(9):655–60. 2003.

6. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. A report on reaching underserved ethnic and

minority populations to improve adolescent and adult immunization rates. Bethesda, MD. 2002.

7. National Center for Health Statistics. Multiple imputation of family income and personal

earnings in the National Health Interview Survey: Methods and examples. 2016. Available from:

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/tecdoc15.pdf.

8. Parsons VL, Moriarity C, Jonas K, et al. Design and estimation for the National Health

Interview Survey, 2006–2015. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(165).

2014.

9. RTI International. SUDAAN (Release 11.0.01) [computer software]. 2013.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 281 ■ June 2017

Suggested citation

Norris T, Vahratian A, Cohen RA. 

Vaccination coverage among adults aged 65 

and over: United States, 2015. NCHS data 

brief, no 281. Hyattsville, MD: National 

Center for Health Statistics. 2017.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Health Interview Statistics

Marcie L. Cynamon, Director

Stephen J. Blumberg, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

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