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Percentage of adults ages 65 and older who received the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine
Percentage of adults ages 65 and older who received the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine
US Value: 41.3%
Top State(s): Maine: 67.6%
Bottom State(s): Mississippi: 21.4%
Definition: Percentage of adults ages 65 and older who received the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine
Data Source and Years: CDC, COVID Data Tracker, Feb 22, 2023
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, COVID Data Tracker, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2023.
Some people who have been hospitalized for severe illness from COVID-19 face life-threatening outcomes and long-term effects such as fatigue, headache, attention disorder, difficulty breathing and hair loss, as well as other currently unknown consequences. COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are effective in preventing severe COVID-19 infections among older adults. The COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness wanes over time, which is why booster shots are recommended for those ages 5 and older. Getting a booster shot in addition to the initial COVID-19 vaccine enhances protection against the virus.
Vaccinations and boosters protect not only individuals, but the community as well. Herd immunity helps protect everyone in the community and is the only option for protecting those who cannot receive the vaccine.
Populations of older adults with a higher percentage of full vaccination plus an updated (bivalent) COVID-19 booster include:
Vaccine clinics and online vaccine connectors have helped distribute more than 53 million updated (bivalent) booster doses in the United States as of February 23, 2023. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated their COVID-19 vaccine mandate for workers in most health care settings in October 2022, and many states have issued their own vaccine mandates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working with long-term care facilities to ensure access to the COVID-19 vaccine through on-site vaccinations and resource sharing. Facilities can sign up with the CDC to host their own on-site vaccination clinics.
Updated 3/2/2023
Feikin, Daniel R., Melissa M. Higdon, Laith J. Abu-Raddad, Nick Andrews, Rafael Araos, Yair Goldberg, Michelle J. Groome, et al. “Duration of Effectiveness of Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Disease: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-Regression.” The Lancet 399, no. 10328 (March 2022): 924–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00152-0.
Oliver, Sara. “Updates to the Evidence to Recommendation Framework: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses.” Presented at the ACIP Meeting, November 19, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2021-11-19/06-COVID-Oliver-508.pdf.
Tenforde, Mark W., Samantha M. Olson, Wesley H. Self, H. Keipp Talbot, Christopher J. Lindsell, Jay S. Steingrub, Nathan I. Shapiro, et al. “Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines Against COVID-19 Among Hospitalized Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, January–March 2021.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 70, no. 18 (May 7, 2021): 674–79. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7018e1.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.