Understanding differences in influenza immunization rates: a survey of African-American and caucasian medicare beneficiaries in Texas.

A goal of Healthy People 2010 is to increase the influenza immunization rate among high-risk populations to at least 90 percent. This article presents the results of a survey on influenza immunizations among African-Americans and Caucasian Medicare beneficiaries in a 25-county project intervention area in Texas. Information on the burden of suffering from pneumonia and influenza, the benefits of influenza immunization, and recommendations are included. Data are presented on the characteristics of the African-American and Caucasian Medicare beneficiary survey respondents, their influenza immunization rates, health status and sources of health care, and factors that influence them to obtain an annual influenza immunization.