Trends in Vaccination at Pharmacies by Race Among Medicaid Recipients: A Claims Analysis
Author(s)
Yi Zheng, PhD1, Kevin Bakker, PhD2, Dong Wang, PhD3, Marcie Fisher-Borne, PhD4, Amanda Lynn Eiden, MBA, MPH, PhD5.
1Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, 2Merck & Co., Inc. - North Wales, PA, Rahway, NJ, USA, 3Merck, West Point, PA, USA, 4Merck & Co. Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA, 5Merck & Co., Inc., Glenside, PA, USA.
1Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, 2Merck & Co., Inc. - North Wales, PA, Rahway, NJ, USA, 3Merck, West Point, PA, USA, 4Merck & Co. Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA, 5Merck & Co., Inc., Glenside, PA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess racial trends in pharmacy-administered vaccinations among Medicaid recipients in the United States during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of Medicaid claims data evaluated trends in pharmacy-based routine and seasonal vaccination among adolescent and adult Medicaid recipients by race from January 1, 2018 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) to December 31, 2023 (peri-/post-pandemic). The percentage of all vaccinations administered at pharmacies and the percentage change in vaccine administrations were calculated. Results were stratified by race, which was categorized as White, Black, and Hispanic. Routine vaccines were defined as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal, pneumococcal, and tetanus-containing vaccines while seasonal vaccines included influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
RESULTS: The overall percentage of vaccines administered at pharmacies mostly increased during the study period among all adult Medicaid beneficiaries. Across most age groups, years, and vaccine types, the percentage of pharmacy-administered vaccinations was highest among White Medicaid recipients, intermediate among Black recipients, and lowest among Hispanic recipients. Notable exceptions included higher hepatitis A vaccination among Black adults aged 19-49 in 2021-2023 compared to other groups and similar HPV vaccination rates among Black and White adults across all years. Seasonal pharmacy-administered vaccinations of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 were lowest among Hispanic recipients across all age groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Although pharmacy-administered vaccination increased among adult Medicaid beneficiaries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, racial differences persisted. For most vaccines and age groups, White recipients had the highest pharmacy vaccination rates and Hispanic recipients had the lowest. These findings highlight the importance of targeted strategies to improve equitable pharmacy vaccination access to population subgroups.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of Medicaid claims data evaluated trends in pharmacy-based routine and seasonal vaccination among adolescent and adult Medicaid recipients by race from January 1, 2018 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) to December 31, 2023 (peri-/post-pandemic). The percentage of all vaccinations administered at pharmacies and the percentage change in vaccine administrations were calculated. Results were stratified by race, which was categorized as White, Black, and Hispanic. Routine vaccines were defined as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal, pneumococcal, and tetanus-containing vaccines while seasonal vaccines included influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
RESULTS: The overall percentage of vaccines administered at pharmacies mostly increased during the study period among all adult Medicaid beneficiaries. Across most age groups, years, and vaccine types, the percentage of pharmacy-administered vaccinations was highest among White Medicaid recipients, intermediate among Black recipients, and lowest among Hispanic recipients. Notable exceptions included higher hepatitis A vaccination among Black adults aged 19-49 in 2021-2023 compared to other groups and similar HPV vaccination rates among Black and White adults across all years. Seasonal pharmacy-administered vaccinations of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 were lowest among Hispanic recipients across all age groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Although pharmacy-administered vaccination increased among adult Medicaid beneficiaries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, racial differences persisted. For most vaccines and age groups, White recipients had the highest pharmacy vaccination rates and Hispanic recipients had the lowest. These findings highlight the importance of targeted strategies to improve equitable pharmacy vaccination access to population subgroups.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
SA98
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Registries
Disease
Vaccines