Clinical Updates: Update on Preventing Pneumococcal Disease in Adults

ABSTRACT
Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is responsible for substantial clinical and economic burden in adults. Despite the safety and effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines in protecting against these serious infections, immunization of eligible adults remains largely underused. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recently expanded the use of the pneumococcal vaccine to include adults with asthma and all cigarette smokers, in addition to persons previously designated as at-risk. Improving adult pneumococcal immunization rates will require efforts from a broad range of healthcare providers. Clinicians should take a proactive approach in recommending the vaccine to eligible adults and should implement strategies that remove barriers to immunization efforts.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVE
Describe the healthcare burden of pneumococcal disease among adults; evaluate the benefits and limitations of pneumococcal vaccines for use in specific patient populations; identify adults at risk for pneumococcal disease and patients who will benefit from vaccination; and understand when to vaccinate adult patients in accordance with current clinical practice recommendations in an effort to improve pneumococcal vaccination rates.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Infectious disease physicians, nurses, hospital epidemiologists, clinical microbiologists, pharmacists, public health authorities, practicing physicians, and other related healthcare professionals interested in the prevention of pneumococcal disease.