Brief Original ReportSeasonal influenza vaccination among Mexican migrants traveling through the Mexico-US border region

- Mexican migrants are medically underserved and at high risk for infectious diseases.
- We surveyed migrants in transit at the Mexico-US border region.
- Only 18.5% of migrants had received a seasonal influenza vaccination.
- Vaccination was associated with gender, health status, and health insurance.
- Binational efforts are needed to increase vaccination and health insurance rates.

ObjectiveMobile populations are at high risk for communicable diseases and can serve as a bridge between sending and receiving communities. The objective of this study is to determine the rates of, and factors associated with, seasonal influenza vaccination among Mexican migrants traveling through the US-Mexico border.MethodsWe used a 2013 cross-sectional population-based survey of adult mobile Mexican migrants traveling through the Mexico-US border region (N = 2313; weighted N = 652,500). We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis to model the odds of receiving an influenza vaccination in the past year by sociodemographics, migration history, health status, and access to health care.ResultsThe seasonal influenza vaccination rate in this population was 18.6%. Gender, health status, and health insurance were associated with the likelihood to receive an influenza vaccination.ConclusionOverall, the rates of seasonal influenza vaccination in circular Mexican migrants are low compared to adults in Mexico and the US Efforts are needed to increase influenza vaccination among this highly mobile population, particularly in adults with chronic conditions.