A new cross-sectional survey reveals that healthcare providers strongly favor expanding pneumococcal vaccine coverage and lowering the age recommendation for vaccination, providing crucial insights for vaccination policy decisions.
The survey, which included 340 healthcare providers who regularly recommend or administer pneumococcal vaccines, found that providers were approximately three times more likely (OR 2.9; 95% CI, 2.44-3.43) to prefer vaccines offering higher coverage of pneumococcal disease in adults 65 years and older. Similarly, they showed twice the preference (OR 1.92; 95% CI, 1.62-2.27) for vaccines with enhanced coverage against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).
Provider Demographics and Preferences
The study participants represented a diverse professional background, with an average of 13.5 years in practice. The majority were male (55.6%), White (85.3%), and practiced in urban areas (82.9%). Nearly all respondents (95.9%) expressed support for having more approved pneumococcal vaccination options.
Clinical Trial Considerations
Healthcare providers demonstrated a significant preference for vaccines tested in both at-risk/high-risk adults and healthy adults, compared to those tested only in healthy populations (OR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.08-1.26). Disease coverage emerged as the most critical factor influencing vaccine selection decisions.
Support for Lower Age Recommendations
After reviewing data on pneumococcal disease mortality and morbidity across age groups, an overwhelming 91% of providers indicated they would support and implement recommendations to lower the vaccination age from ≥65 to ≥50 years. This aligns with the recent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) decision, which voted 14-to-1 in October to expand pneumococcal vaccine recommendations to include adults aged 50 and older.
Anticipated Benefits
Providers identified several potential advantages of lowering the age-based recommendation:
- 73.5% expect increased vaccination rates among at-risk adults
- 70.6% anticipate improved herd immunity
- Broader vaccine uptake across multiple age groups, including both 50-64 year olds and those 65 and older
Recent Developments
The survey findings gain additional relevance in light of recent developments in pneumococcal vaccination. The FDA has approved new vaccine options, including a 21-valent conjugate vaccine that demonstrated effectiveness in protecting at-risk adults aged 16-64 years who were vaccine-naive.
These survey results contribute valuable insights to the CDC's Evidence to Recommendation (EtR) framework, which guides vaccine policy decisions by considering stakeholder values, preferences, and acceptability of new vaccines. The strong provider support for expanded coverage and lower age recommendations suggests potential positive implications for public health strategies aimed at preventing pneumococcal disease.
