Capturing the chance for pneumococcal vaccination in the hospital setting
Authors
Francesco Di Nardo, Giovanna Elisa Calabrò, Carolina Ianuale, Andrea Poscia, Elena Azzolini, Massimo Volpe, Chiara de Waure
Abstract
Introduction: Because of the relevant burden of pneumococcal diseases, people at risk and elderly are recommended vaccination but coverage is still low because of problems in catching them. This study evaluates the proportion of eligible patients in the hospital in the view of assessing its potential role in vaccination campaigns.
Methods: this is a retrospective analysis of discharge data from all patients over 49 years of age admitted between 2011 and 2013 to ‘A. Gemelli’ teaching hospital. Eligibility for pneumococcal vaccination was evaluated based on ICD-9 codes.
Results: among 65,047 unique patients, 53.2% were eligible for pneumococcal vaccination. Most common eligibility criteria were chronic heart diseases, cancer and diabetes. Considering also age ≥ 65 as an indication to vaccination, the proportion of eligible patients reached 76.8%. In absolute terms the most of eligible patients were seen in medical sciences, general surgery, cardiovascular medicine and neurosciences departments.
Conclusions: the proportion of patients eligible to vaccination is high in the hospital and the latter may play an important role in catching them.
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