Temporal trends and sociodemographic differences in influenza vaccination among U.S. cancer survivors, 2005-2024.

1674 Background: Given the increased risk of complications and adverse outcomes associated with influenza infection among individuals with cancer, even in the post-treatment setting, clinical oncology guidelines support annual vaccination in cancer survivors. Few studies have investigated long-term trends and potential disparities in the prevalence of influenza vaccination among individuals with a history of cancer. Therefore, we examined temporal trends in and factors associated with influenza vaccination in a nationally representative sample of cancer survivors in the United States. Methods: Using data from 20 survey years (2005-2024) of the National Health Interview Survey, we included adults aged ≥18 years with a self-reported history of cancer and complete data on influenza vaccination. The primary outcome was self-reported influenza vaccination in the past 12 months. Crude annual prevalence estimates were calculated overall and by select sociodemographic characteristics using survey-weighted logistic regression models. Temporal trends were quantified using annual percent change (APC) estimates. Results: Among 43,932 adults with a history of cancer (median age: 65.7 years), representing approximately 15.0 million U.S. cancer survivors annually, crude influenza vaccination prevalence increased from 45.5% (95% CI: 43.0-48.1) in 2005 to 63.3% (95% CI: 61.2-65.4) in 2024, corresponding to an absolute change of 17.8 percentage points (pp; 95% CI: 14.5-21.1) and an APC of +0.79 pp/year (95% CI: 0.52-1.06). Younger survivors aged 18-44 years experienced a particularly large absolute change over the 20-year study period (+32.4 pp; APC: +1.32 pp/year), yet fewer than half were vaccinated in 2024 (46.4%), compared to 77.4% of those aged ≥75 years. Cancer survivors without insurance (change: +24.7 pp; APC: +0.83 pp/year) had a 2024 vaccination prevalence of 32.0%, compared to insured survivors (63.8%). Survivors without a usual source of care (change: +31.0 pp; APC: +1.63 pp/year) had a 2024 vaccination prevalence of 39.9%, compared to those with a usual source of care (63.8%). Hispanic survivors (change: +25.3 pp; APC: +1.30 pp/year) had a 2024 vaccination prevalence of 51.9%, compared to non-Hispanic White survivors (64.9%). Conclusions: Influenza vaccination prevalence among U.S. cancer survivors increased substantially over the past two decades; however, more than one-third were unvaccinated in 2024. Despite overall gains, vaccination coverage remained particularly low among younger survivors, uninsured individuals, and those without a usual source of care, with persistent differences across racial and ethnic groups. Targeted clinical and public health strategies are needed to address these gaps and improve guideline-endorsed uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination among cancer survivors.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Published
2026-05-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.1674
Primary Topic
Influenza Virus Research Studies
Type
article
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article

Temporal trends and sociodemographic differences in influenza vaccination among U.S. cancer survivors, 2005-2024.

Leah M. Ferrucci, Brenda Cartmel, Michaela A. Dinan, Kerry Conlin et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Influenza Virus Research Studies
article

Temporal trends and sociodemographic differences in influenza vaccination among U.S. cancer survivors, 2005-2024.

Leah M. Ferrucci, Brenda Cartmel, Michaela A. Dinan, Kerry Conlin, Reed Mszar, Melinda Irwin, Ziyuan Ma
article en

Abstract

1674 Background: Given the increased risk of complications and adverse outcomes associated with influenza infection among individuals with cancer, even in the post-treatment setting, clinical oncology guidelines support annual vaccination in cancer survivors. Few studies have investigated long-term trends and potential disparities in the prevalence of influenza vaccination among individuals with a history of cancer. Therefore, we examined temporal trends in and factors associated with influenza vaccination in a nationally representative sample of cancer survivors in the United States. Methods: Using data from 20 survey years (2005-2024) of the National Health Interview Survey, we included adults aged ≥18 years with a self-reported history of cancer and complete data on influenza vaccination. The primary outcome was self-reported influenza vaccination in the past 12 months. Crude annual prevalence estimates were calculated overall and by select sociodemographic characteristics using survey-weighted logistic regression models. Temporal trends were quantified using annual percent change (APC) estimates. Results: Among 43,932 adults with a history of cancer (median age: 65.7 years), representing approximately 15.0 million U.S. cancer survivors annually, crude influenza vaccination prevalence increased from 45.5% (95% CI: 43.0-48.1) in 2005 to 63.3% (95% CI: 61.2-65.4) in 2024, corresponding to an absolute change of 17.8 percentage points (pp; 95% CI: 14.5-21.1) and an APC of +0.79 pp/year (95% CI: 0.52-1.06). Younger survivors aged 18-44 years experienced a particularly large absolute change over the 20-year study period (+32.4 pp; APC: +1.32 pp/year), yet fewer than half were vaccinated in 2024 (46.4%), compared to 77.4% of those aged ≥75 years. Cancer survivors without insurance (change: +24.7 pp; APC: +0.83 pp/year) had a 2024 vaccination prevalence of 32.0%, compared to insured survivors (63.8%). Survivors without a usual source of care (change: +31.0 pp; APC: +1.63 pp/year) had a 2024 vaccination prevalence of 39.9%, compared to those with a usual source of care (63.8%). Hispanic survivors (change: +25.3 pp; APC: +1.30 pp/year) had a 2024 vaccination prevalence of 51.9%, compared to non-Hispanic White survivors (64.9%). Conclusions: Influenza vaccination prevalence among U.S. cancer survivors increased substantially over the past two decades; however, more than one-third were unvaccinated in 2024. Despite overall gains, vaccination coverage remained particularly low among younger survivors, uninsured individuals, and those without a usual source of care, with persistent differences across racial and ethnic groups. Targeted clinical and public health strategies are needed to address these gaps and improve guideline-endorsed uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination among cancer survivors.

Journal of Clinical OncologyVol. 44(16_suppl)
Yale University (US)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Influenza Virus Research Studies
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