Background: Pneumococcal vaccine remains underutilized compared to influenza vaccine. This discrepancy provides opportunity to increase pneumococcal vaccine delivery by encouraging its use in settings providing influenza vaccine.
Objective: To test the hypothesis that promoting concurrent delivery of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines through coordinated, countywide outreach campaigns effectively boosts pneumococcal immunization rates.
Methods: Community leaders, consumer advocates, health care providers, and public health officials were convened to develop/oversee an adult immunization campaign. Medicare recipients in Litchfield County, CT (23,860) received flu/pneumococcal vaccine reminder letters and brochures endorsed by local health care providers. This mailing was enhanced by newspaper advertisements, TV/radio spots, and posters. Besides the availability of immunizations at physician offices, VNAs and health authorities held 52 clinics offering both immunizations.
Results: The percentage of beneficiaries receiving pneumococcal vaccinations between 1991-1996 was calculated for each CT county. Increases in cumulative vaccination rates during 1997 (the intervention period) were then calculated. (The 1991-1997 pneumococcal immunization rates for Medicare Part B beneficiaries age 65+ were obtained using HCFA reimbursement data.) All eight counties experienced increases in the cumulative number of Medicare beneficiaries receiving pneumococcal vaccine during 1997. The seven non-intervention counties had increases of 18% to 29% over the previous year (from 32.3% to 38.0% and from 20.4% to 26.3%, respectively). The intervention county experienced an increase of 52% (from 21.2% to 32.1%).
Conclusion: The intervention county realized significantly improved immunization rates, compared to other Connecticut counties. Pneumococcal immunization rates can be notably improved by coordinated, countywide initiatives linking the promotion/delivery of pneumococcal vaccinations to influenza immunizations.
Learning Objectives: Describe the way pneumococcal immunization rates can be increased by linking their delivery to influenza immunization campaigns
Keywords: Community Collaboration, Immunizations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.