January Results From the Clover Health Flu Shot Monitor Reveal That Only 63% of U.S. Seniors Have Been Immunized This Season

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, newly conducted survey results from the January Clover Health Flu Shot Monitor reveal that only 63% of U.S. seniors 60 and older have gotten a flu shot so far this season. This is a negligible improvement from last month's findings, which showed that just 60% of adults 60 and older had been vaccinated.

As the height of flu season nears, the latest Flu Shot Monitor results are prompting the Medicare Advantage insurer to urge all older Americans to get vaccinated immediately.

The most recent Clover Health Flu Shot Monitor also found that:

• Just 57% of U.S. adults ages 60-69 have been vaccinated, versus 73% of adults 70-79 and 84% of respondents 80 and older
• While 68% of male seniors surveyed have gotten a flu shot, only 58% of female seniors have been vaccinated this season
• Only 52% of African-Americans 60 and older have been vaccinated, compared with 64% of white seniors surveyed
• 71% of U.S. seniors with a household income of $75,000 or more have received a flu shot, versus 61% of those in households earning $35,000-$74,999, and just 57% of those earning less than $35,000
• 60% of seniors surveyed without an undergraduate degree have gotten a flu shot, compared with 67% of those who graduated from college

According to the CDC, flu season typically peaks in February, though flu activity has stretched into May in recent years. However, far fewer people report getting vaccinated against the flu past late November – a dangerous trend, especially for senior citizens.

"Even in January, it's not too late for seniors to get a flu shot," said Kumar Dharmarajan, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Clover Health. "It takes two weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect, making it crucial for older adults to get vaccinated as soon as possible before the flu hits its peak this season."

The monthly Flu Shot Monitor from Clover, a healthcare company using technology to improve medical outcomes, surveyed seniors across the U.S. to track the percentage of adults 60 and older who get vaccinated throughout this flu season.

Clover's focus on reducing the number of seniors who catch the flu stems from the company's commitment to preventative healthcare, leveraging data and its technology platform to proactively address potential illnesses before they become serious. As part of this, Clover's sophisticated technology has an 85% accuracy rate in identifying patients at risk of being admitted to the hospital in the next 28 days – an unmatched level of precision.

As opposed to traditional fee-for-service that focuses on "sick care," Medicare Advantage insurers like Clover often offer a range of preventative care benefits, such as gym memberships, dental coverage, and home visits. Clover members also receive free flu shots as part of its comprehensive plan benefits.

The January Clover Health Flu Shot Monitor was conducted by Wakefield Research of 1,000 adults 60+ throughout the U.S.

About Clover Health
Clover Health is a healthcare technology company with a deeply-rooted mission of helping its members live their healthiest lives. Clover uses its proprietary technology platform to collect, structure and analyze health and behavioral data to improve medical outcomes and lower costs for patients. As the only company whose business goals fully align with its members' health needs, Clover works with members and their doctors to become a valued partner. This trust is built by proactively identifying at-risk individuals and teaming up with providers to accelerate care coordination and simultaneously improve health outcomes and reduce avoidable costs. Clover is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.cloverhealth.com.

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SOURCE Clover Health

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