Pneumococcal vaccine uptake among Medicare Beneficiaries

Vietri J, Sato R, Averin A, Weycker D, Kumar M, Prasad S, Chilson E. Pneumococcal vaccine uptake among Medicare Beneficiaries aged ≥65 years following the shared clinical decision-making recommendation for 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in 2019. Vaccine. 2023 Jul 18:S0264-410X(23)00855-1. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.07.034. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37474408.

Abstract and paper first published: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37474408/

 

Background

In November 2019, the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended shared clinical decision-making (SCDM) for use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) among immunocompetent elderly adults. The impact of SCDM on PCV13 use in this population, immunocompromised persons, and vulnerable subgroups has not been well documented.

 

Methods

Using Medicare Research Identifiable Files (01/2018-09/2020), monthly uptake of pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine [PPSV23]) was identified among fee-for-service beneficiaries aged ≥65 years with Part B coverage and no evidence of prior PCV13. Uptake was stratified by vaccine, risk profile, and demographics.

 

Results

Among the >12M beneficiaries included each month, PCV13 uptake declined from >70% of pneumococcal vaccinations before SCDM to <60% after SCDM (02/2020). Reductions in PCV13 uptake were consistent across vulnerable subgroups as well as immunocompromised persons.

 

Conclusions

PCV13 use decreased among immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons alike, despite continued routine PCV13 recommendation for the latter group.

Read more: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37474408/