People with disabilities face more health challenges and limited access to preventive health services.1 The prevalence of visual disabilities (VD) is expected to increase with the aging population.2 People with VD have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases3, 4, 5, 6 and acute diseases, such as fractures7 and injuries,8 than people without disabilities. However, studies on VD and infectious diseases are insufficient.

Influenza is a major health concern as a vaccine-preventable infectious disease.9 Considering the high prevalence of comorbidities among people with VD,3,4,6 influenza may pose a significant health problem to this population. Nevertheless, data elucidating health disparities in influenza care between people with and without VD remained scarce.10 Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is recommended for health-care workers, pregnant women, those aged 50 and above, children, and those with chronic illnesses.11 The SIV rate of people with VD was similar to or higher than that of the general population in a previous study in Korea.12 However, studies exploring disparities in influenza outcomes and healthcare use between people with VD and those without disabilities remained limited.

We aimed to measure the influenza burden and related healthcare use in people with VD compared to those without disabilities.