Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination levels among adults aged > or = 65 years--United States, 1993.

In 1993, pneumonia and influenza ranked sixth among the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, and approximately 90% of the deaths caused by these illnesses occurred among adults aged > or = 65 years. A national health objective for the year 2000 is to increase pneumococcal and influenza vaccination levels to > or = 60% for persons at high risk for complications from pneumococcal disease and influenza, including those aged > or = 65 years (objective 20.11). To estimate state-specific influenza and pneumococcal vaccination levels for persons aged > or = 65 years, CDC analyzed data from the 1993 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This report summarizes the BRFSS findings, which indicate substantial increases in coverage levels for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines among persons aged > or = 65 years, and assesses progress toward the year 2000 objective.