Outpatient-Based Pneumococcal Vaccine Campaign and Survey of Perceptions about Pneumococcal Vaccination in Patients and Doctors

Abstract

PurposeDespite the ready availability of pneumococcal vaccine, vaccination rates are quite low in South Korea. This study was designed to assess perceptions and awareness about pneumococcal vaccines among subjects at risk and find strategies to increases vaccine coverage rates.Materials and MethodsA cross sectional, community-based survey was conducted to assess perceptions about the pneumococcal vaccine at a local public health center. In a tertiary hospital, an outpatient-based pneumococcal vaccine campaign was carried out for the elderly and individuals with chronic co-morbidities from May to July of 2007.ResultsBased on the survey, only 7.6% were ever informed about pneumococcal vaccination. The coverage rates of the pneumococcal vaccine before and after the hospital campaign showed an increased annual rate from 3.39% to 5.91%. The most common reason for vaccination was "doctor's advice" (53.3%). As for the reasons for not receiving vaccination, about 75% of high risk patients were not aware of the pneumococcal vaccine, which was the most important barrier to vaccination. Negative clinician's attitude was the second most common cause of non-vaccination.ConclusionAnnual outpatient-based campaigns early in the influenza season may improve pneumococcal vaccine coverage rates. Doctor's advice was the most important encouraging factor for vaccination.

Extensively Drug-ResistantStreptococcus pneumoniae, South Korea, 2011–2012

“…Although we were unable to determine the status of pneumococcal vaccination of the patients reported here, given the very low rates of PPV23 vaccination in Korea (<5%), these patients were likely to be unvaccinated ( 10 ). Among pneumococcal isolates collected from patients with respiratory tract infections in South Korea, the prevalence rate of serotype 11A was 7.6%, and these serotype 11A isolates showed a high prevalence of multidrug-resistance (65.2%) ( 11 ).…”

Factors associated with pneumococcal vaccination among an urban elderly population in China

“…16 The 23-PPV vaccine is also recommended for all adults over the age of 65 y in the United States, and more than 75% elderly adults have received the 23-PPV vaccine according to a survey called the Vaccine Safety Datalink project. 17 Other reported rates include 46% in Australia, 18 5.91% in Korea, 14 and 3.2% and 6.5% in Pakistan. 19 The variation in these rates might be associated with sampling methods, the selected populations, and the policies proposed by the relevant official organizations.…”

Immunogenicity and safety of concomitant MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine administration in older adults

“…Vaccination is the most effective means to prevent both pneumococcal and influenza infections. Influenza vaccination rates in older adults are high in the Republic of Korea (ROK), reaching 80% [21]; however, only 3.4% of older Koreans receive pneumococcal vaccine [1]. In most other countries, pneumococcal vaccine coverage rates are also relatively low among older adults, with rates of approximately 20-40% [22].…”

“…In most other countries, pneumococcal vaccine coverage rates are also relatively low among older adults, with rates of approximately 20-40% [22]. Concomitant influenza and pneumococcal vaccination has been recommended as an effective strategy to increase pneumococcal vaccine coverage of at-risk groups [1,23,24].…”

“…Concomitant administration of the influenza vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine is an effective way to improve immunization coverage of these recommended vaccines in older adults [1]. Although concomitant administration of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and conventional trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3) has been demonstrated to result in acceptable reactogenicity and immune responses to both sets of antigens, lower responses to PCV13 antigens have been observed compared to separate administration [2][3][4].…”