Key findings
Data from the National Health Interview Survey
In 2019, just over one-half of children aged 6 months through 17 years (53.1%) had an influenza vaccination in the past 12 months.
Overall, and for each race and Hispanic-origin group examined, influenza vaccination coverage was lower with increasing age.
Across all age groups, children in more rural areas had lower influenza vaccination coverage than those in urban areas.
The percentage of children who had received an influenza vaccination in the past 12 months ranged from 47.9% in the East South Central region to 65.3% in the New England region of the United States.
Increasing the proportion of persons, including children, who are vaccinated annually against seasonal influenza is a Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicator (1). Vaccination is effective in preventing influenza (2), and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends an annual influenza vaccination for children aged 6 months and over (3). This report examines the percentage of children aged 6 months through 17 years who had an influenza vaccination in the past 12 months using data from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey.