Yonsei Med J.  2013 Mar;54(2):469-475. 10.3349/ymj.2013.54.2.469.

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

• Song JY
• Cheong HJ
• Heo JY
• Noh JY
• Seo YB
• Kim IS
• Choi WS
• Kim WJ

• KMID: 1503912
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2013.54.2.469

Abstract

PURPOSE
Despite 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 METHODS
A 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.
RESULTS
Based 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.
CONCLUSION
Annual 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.

Keyword

Pneumococcal infections; pneumococcal vaccination; health education

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
*Ambulatory Care
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Immunization Programs
Male
Patients/*psychology
Physicians/*psychology
*Pneumococcal Vaccines
Republic of Korea
Vaccination/*psychology
Pneumococcal Vaccines

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Monthly number of pneumococcal vaccinations for the high risk population of a tertiary teaching hospital: a comparison between pre-campaign (May 2006-April 2007) and post-campaign (May 2007-April 2008) periods.

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  Fig. 2 Pneumococcal vaccine coverage rates (number of vaccinees) for the high risk population of a tertiary teaching hospital, classified according to age and chronic medical conditions; connective tissue diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases requiring the use of either steroids or immunosuppressants. *p<0.01, †p=0.03.

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  Fig. 3 Doctor encouraging factors (%) for the prescription of pneumococcal vaccine at a tertiary teaching hospital (total no.=75); each doctor ranked three high priorities in sequence.

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