Is a pneumococcal vaccine for the elderly appropriately recommended by Maltese geriatricians and general practitioners?

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence recommend the pneumococcal vaccine to patients aged 65 years and over, patients with chronic lung disease and patients suffering from a number of other listed chronic conditions. This study aimed to assess whether geriatricians and family practitioners in Malta recommend the pneumococcal vaccine to the above mentioned populations.

METHOD: A questionnaire was formulated by the authors to collect demographic data about the respondents, inquire whether respondents knew about the pneumococcal vaccine, its availability in Malta, its properties, which groups of patients are recommended for administration of this vaccine, and whether these patients were being identified in the respondents’ practice. The questionnaire was circulated via electronic email to family practitioners and geriatricians in Malta. All responses were then compiled, and the results formulated and analysed.

RESULTS: A total of 47 responses were collected: 28 were family practitioners (60%) and 19 were geriatricians (40%). Forty-four (94%) respondents recommend vaccines in their daily routine, but only 37 (79%) of respondents are aware of the guidelines on the pneumococcal vaccine. Ten (23%) respondents always include the vaccine as part of their management of pneumonia, 25 (54%) occasionally do so and 10 (19%) never do. Twenty-six (55%) respondents recommend the vaccine in patients aged 65 years and over, 44 (93%) recommend it in chronic lung disease, 23 (48%) recommend it in post-splenectomy patients, 29 (62%) in immunocompromised patients and 32 (67%) in congestive heart failure.

CONCLUSION: There is a need for geriatricians and family practitioners in Malta to be reminded of the guidelines surrounding the pneumococcal vaccine and in which groups of patients it should be recommended.