Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of influenza infection can result in hospitalization or death. Certain groups, including older people, young children, and people with underlying health conditions are at higher risk for serious influenza complications. The best way to prevent influenza is by getting vaccinated each year.

During the 2021-2022 flu season, 86.7% (95% CI: 82.6-90.8) of children less than 5 years in Connecticut were vaccinated against seasonal influenza. This compares with 66.7% (95% CI: 65.7-67.7) children less than 5 years nationally and the Healthy CT 2020 goal of 88.3%. Additionally, children less than 5 years in Connecticut had higher influenza vaccine coverage than children less than 18 (75.2%, 95% CI: 72.3-78.1) during the 2021-2022 season.  

NOTE: Due to BRFSS weighting methodology changes beginning in 2011, comparisons between data collected in 2011 and later and that from 2010 and earlier should be made with caution. Differences between data from 2011 forward and earlier years may be due to methodological changes, rather than changes in opinion or behavior.

Confidence intervals can be seen by hovering over each data point.

These data are current as of Feb 2023

DPH Immunization Partners

Government: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CT Department of Social Services/Community Health Network (CHN), CT Department of Children and Families, CT Local Health Departments/Districts, Tribal Governments, Health Departments from other states, Emergency Response and Public Health Preparedness

Organizations and Coalitions: Connecticut Vaccine Advisory Council (CVAC), Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Foundation for Children, CT American Lung Association, American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA), Every Child By Two, Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), American Cancer Society

Business and Industry: Pharmaceutical companies that produce vaccines, Immunization Information System (IIS) vendors, electronic health record (EHR) vendors, insurance companies

Health Care: Private and public providers, community health centers, school based health centers, hospitals

Education: Daycares, schools and colleges, Board of Nursing, State Department of Education, Yale School of Public Health

Community Services: CT Department of Social Services, Community Health Network (CHN), Local WIC Offices, tribal services, services for immigrants and refugees, homeless shelters and programs, domestic violence shelters and programs, Hispanic Health Council, Maternal Infant Outreach Program - City of Hartford Health and Human Services (MIOP) , Family Strides, Head Start, Healthy Start, Nurturing Families, Connections, Mom’s Project, Positive Parenting, Project Mother Care, Reach out and Read, Birth to Three, libraries, churches, Community Health Center Family Wellness Center/New Britain, Weston Women’s League, Human Resources Agency of New Britain (HRA), Family and Children’s Agency (FCA) of Norwalk, Spanish Speaking Center, United Way

The Public: Parents and the general public

Universal access to influenza vaccine at no-cost to patients and healthcare providers. Collaboration with primary care practices. Parental education. Reminder-recall systems. Immunization requirements for day care and preschool attendance.

School Immunization Requirements for daycare and preschool: http://eregulations.ct.gov/eRegsPortal/Browse/RCSA?id=Title%2019a|19a-79|19a-79-6a|19a-79-6a

For current year priority strategies and actions, click here (right click to open link).

SHIP Strategies:

Assure costs of vaccines/administration for all ages are covered by all insurers.

Identify other methods for reaching out to the public (e.g. social media).

Maintain annual education of providers and the public about flu vaccine.

Maintain and expand access to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended vaccines for children (HPV, hepatitis A, rotavirus, influenza).

Develop new and diverse venues for influenza vaccine administration and culturally appropriate outreach to ensure access to all population groups.

Maintain and drill plans.

Maintain and enhance Connecticut immunization registry; include across lifespan; implement comprehensive reminder/recall systems.

Use new and existing data systems to measure vaccine coverage among populations to examine disparities and target vaccine strategies.

Develop new systems for measuring vaccine coverage among all age groups.

The Connecticut Vaccine Program is Connecticut’s childhood vaccination program. It ensures all children in the state get the vaccinations they need, when they need them, to stay healthy. The state buys vaccine at the lowest possible price through a government contract, and gives the vaccines at no cost to clinics, private doctors, and other health care providers. These providers then vaccinate children without charging patients for the cost of the vaccine (health care providers may still charge an administration fee). Without this program, some insurance companies may not cover the full cost of vaccine, making it too expensive for some families. Influenza vaccine is available to all children 6-59 months of age at no cost through the Connecticut Vaccine Program.

During 2010, a mandate was introduced requiring vaccination against influenza for day care and preschool attendees. All attendees must receive an annual influenza vaccine between September 1-December 31st in order to attend day care or preschool.