Pneumococcal vaccine strategy. Feasibility of a vaccination program directed at hospitalized and ambulatory patients.
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.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines