Updated: February, 2024

Author: Immunization Program, Vermont Department of Health

This indicator, or population measure, is part of our Healthy Vermonters 2030 data set. Read more about how this data helps us understand and improve the well-being of people in Vermont on the Healthy Vermonters 2030 webpage.

Because this data is meant to show how the health of our state changes during the decade from 2020-2030, some indicators may have very few data points for now. Keep checking back to see the progress our public health system and partners are making.

By 2030 we want to see this indicator reach 45% each influenza season. The baseline rate for measuring progress over the coming decade is 41%.

The COVID-19 pandemic and rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine impacted the way people access vaccines and think about vaccines. To see more detailed information about influenza and COVID-19 vaccination (including geographic and age breakdowns), visit our new Vermont COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination dashboard.

Increasing the number of people who receive the flu vaccine each year is a Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicator. It is a high priority objective to drive action toward improving overall health and well-being.

Looking for more data?

• See previous data similar to this indicator from our 2020 Scorecards.
• See the corresponding national Healthy People 2030 objective for the proportion of people getting the flu vaccine every year.

Getting the flu vaccine is important to reduce the amount of people who get the flu and have to be hospitalized and to prevent people from dying from the flu. People who get the flu vaccine not only protect themselves, but also protect the people around them. By preventing the spread of the flu between people we interact with, the protection extends to those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness—like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions. Also, by preventing hospitalizations we can reduce the burden on the healthcare system during the season when influenza and other respiratory diseases are most common.

It is recommended that all people age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each season. The data for this indicator only includes people age 6 months and older to match that medical recommendation.

Knowing how many people get the flu vaccination can be useful for the Health Department, medical providers, and community partners who provide care or help people access care. Knowing that almost 60% of our population don’t regularly get the flu vaccine tells us that we have a lot of room for improvement. Having more detailed data, such as where differences exist geographically or between different types of people gives us even more information about how to change and improve the way we offer and promote vaccination.  

You can find more detailed data on the Vermont COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination dashboard.

We know that there are differences in number of people who get the flu vaccine in different geographic areas of Vermont. Some of the differences may be a result of people getting the vaccine in a nearby state, or because not all immunization records are captured in the Vermont Immunization Registry.

There are also disparities in different age groups. This might be because people of different ages have different thoughts about how at risk they are for serious illness or hospitalization.

Across all geographies and age groups, barriers to accessing care (such as travel or cost barriers) may impact the how many people get the vaccine.

Some people are part of groups or have ancestries who have suffered historical trauma from a medical system which should have been giving them good care. This and other factors can influence the level of confidence and trust people have in the health care system. As a result, people may be less likely to get a flu vaccine or trust other medical treatments.

The Department of Health Immunization Program works with partners to try and reduce barriers to healthcare access, repair harm, and increase trust and confidence in the healthcare system. These are ways to help increase the percent of people in Vermont who regularly get the flu vaccine.

Learn more about Older Vermonters age 65+ receiving the seasonal flu vaccine.

The Immunization Program is collaborating with partners to better understand and reduce the barriers people may have to getting the flu vaccine. This includes working with communities to increase vaccine confidence and trust in the healthcare system.

Medical providers are important partners for success. They are a trusted source of information for patients. They provide education to patients and answer questions about the flu vaccine. Supporting providers by giving them resources and up-to-date information is an important strategy to increase the number of people who regularly get the flu vaccine.

This data only includes people ages 6 months and older, as the influenza vaccination is not recommended or approved for infants under 6 months.

Influenza vaccination rates run from July 1 to June 30 each year; when the season restarts on July 1 the rate drops to zero. The updated vaccine to match the anticipated strains is often not available until September or October. Thus, rates regularly vary throughout the year depending on the time of year.

To see more detailed information about influenza and COVID-19 vaccination (including geographic and age breakdowns), visit our new Vermont COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination dashboard.