Effective strategies to increase pneumococcal vaccination rates for safety net patients

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

Preventable Pneumococcal Disease (PD), particularly pneumonia, remains a frequent cause of illness, disability and death. The economic burden is high (US costs over $3.5 billion annually). Vaccination significantly reduces the morbidity and mortality of PD, yet PD vaccination rates remain low, particularly for safety-net patients.The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) recognized the need for an effective method to increase pneumococcal vaccination rates for our safety-net patients. Our three-pronged approach includes:1.Electronic identification of at-risk adults.2.An immunization protocol that expands which caregivers can order vaccines for patients.3.Automated interactive communication and scheduling through the Immunization Outreach Automated Remote Monitoring System (IO-ARMS). The IO-ARMS contacts patients, verifies vaccine eligibility, provides clinic location information, and vaccine education for a fraction of the cost of traditional interventions.DHS provided outreach to more than 27,400 patients who were overdue for their vaccination. This has resulted in a significant increase in vaccination rates, particularly for those over age 65. This is a proven, efficacious and scalable approach.