LO071: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in the emergency department

Abstract

Introduction: Influenza and pneumococcal disease are vaccine preventable diseases that account for significant morbidity and mortality in Canada. Influenza vaccination has been shown to reduce mortality and pneumococcal vaccination reduces invasive pneumococcal disease. Previous studies have shown that emergency department (ED) patients are often at high risk for influenza and pneumococcal disease and willing to be vaccinated during their ED stay. Our study set out to determine what proportion of adult patients in the ED qualify for and are willing to be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcus during their ED visit. Methods: Our study used a convenience sample of patients presenting to the ED at a large Canadian tertiary care centre (Vancouver General Hospital). Inclusion criteria were: adult patients (19 years or greater); consenting to be screened for immunization status; and able to communicate in English. The exclusion criteria were: critically ill patients and patients in severe pain. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients presenting to the ED that could be immunized for influenza and pneumococcus (member of a high risk group, unvaccinated and willing to be vaccinated). Secondary outcomes included additional demographic characteristics and patient attitudes regarding vaccination. Results: We screened 413 patients of which 55 did not meet inclusion/exclusion criteria and 104 declined participation. A total of 254 patients completed the survey for a response rate of 71%. Our primary outcome was present in 20% of patients for influenza (high risk for complications, unvaccinated and willing to be vaccinated in the ED). For pneumococcus, 15% were at high risk, unvaccinated and willing to be vaccinated in the ED. In our population, 83% were at high risk of complications from influenza and 58% were at high risk of complications from pneumococcus. In total, 53% of patients would accept influenza vaccine and 44% would accept pneumococcal vaccine. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that there is a significant high-risk population that is otherwise unreached and are willing to be vaccinated for influenza and pneumococcus in the ED. Our patient population has a very high prevalence of risk factors for complications of pneumonia and influenza. This data suggests that ED patients are a high-risk population and could be a target group for vaccination campaigns.