Pneumococcal vaccine strategy. Feasibility of a vaccination program directed at hospitalized and ambulatory patients.

Overview

A prospective analysis of patients hospitalized with pneumococcal infection at two Rochester (NY) hospitals was performed during an 18-month period to assess the feasibility of a pneumococcal vaccination program directed at inpatients. Of the 113 patients hospitalized with pneumococcal infection, only nine patients (8%) had previously received pneumococcal vaccine and 76 patients (67%) had been hospitalized at least once in the previous three years. Of the 104 patients who had a source of regular medical care, 100% had made at least one outpatient visit in the previous three years. The association between the acquisition of a serious pneumococcal infection and hospitalization within the previous three years suggests that a vaccination strategy directed at hospitalized high-risk patients would be potentially effective. Also, vaccination of high-risk ambulatory patients remains a viable strategy to prevent serious pneumococcal infection.