Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: The family unit influences individual decisions, including multiple aspects of healthcare decision making. This point is especially true for minor dependents whose healthcare may be heavily influenced by guardians. This analysis evaluated family-level influenza vaccination patterns to examine correlations between individuals and family units.
METHODS: Family units, composed of two adults and ≥1 child aged <16 years, with continuous eligibility for during the 2018-2019 and/or 2022-2023 influenza seasons were identified in the Merative^TM MarketScan^® Databases. Influenza vaccination rates were described along with demographics for family-level cohorts based on all family member or adult vaccination status.
RESULTS: A total of 1,1285,556 and 931,537 eligible families were identified in the 2018-2019 and 2022-2023 seasons respectively. In the 2018-2019 season 41.4%, 48.2%, and 10.4% of families were unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or fully vaccinated respectively. In the 2022-2023 season proportions of unvaccinated (45.7%) and fully vaccinated (13.7%) families increased, while rates of partially vaccinated families declined (40.6%). In both seasons, childhood vaccination rates increased with the number of vaccinated adults; within partially vaccinated families, minor dependents were the most likely to be vaccinated. Individuals in fully and partially vaccinated families utilized more services with significantly greater proportions of people with ≥1 inpatient admission, outpatient visit, and outpatient pharmacy fill. Fully and partially vaccinated families were also significantly more likely to have ≥1 child <6 years of age, ≥1 family member with risk factor for severe influenza, or reside in the Northeast compared to unvaccinated families, while the latter were more likely to reside in the South or be covered by a comprehensive or PPO/EPO insurance plan.
CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicate that family dynamics can influence individual vaccination decisions, especially for children. Further study into factors associated with familial vaccination rates may help to target future vaccination programs and increase vaccine coverage in the US.