Pneumococcal Vaccine in Adult Asthma Patients.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent source of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in adults. Respiratory tract infections are the foremost reasons for asthma exacerbations. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider asthma a clear indication for pneumococcal vaccination. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which adult patients with asthma in Poland adhere to a schedule of recommended pneumococcal vaccinations. In addition, the study attempted to assess the source of the patient knowledge on vaccination and the plausible determents for vaccination. The study was conducted among patients at specialist outpatient clinics in the form of an anonymous survey that contained questions about asthma, vaccines, and the knowledge and motivations. A total of 214 patients (149 females and 65 males) of the mean age of 52 ± 17 years were interviewed. A staggering 93% of patients did not receive pneumococcal vaccination, and only 24% of patients were aware of the need for this vaccine. Age, gender, and education did not affect whether patients chose to receive the vaccine. The most often quoted reason for not receiving the vaccine was lack of information, followed by lack of faith in vaccine efficacy, and the fear of adverse effects. From the standpoint of health hazard stemming from prophylaxis avoidance, it appears paramount to educate asthmatic patients on the benefits of receiving pneumococcal vaccination.

Factors Affecting Influenza Vaccination Rate in Adults with Asthma.

Asthma is considered one of the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide, with an incidence of 5.4% in the Polish, adult population. Symptoms of the disease can be triggered or worsened by a variety of factors including viral infection such as influenza, affirming the necessity for prophylactic vaccination. However, there is concern among the general population of the possibility of anaphylactic response to vaccination, which can deter patients with allergic asthma for fear of triggering exacerbation of their condition. The objective of the study was to determine the extent to which patients with asthma adhere to a schedule of recommended vaccinations in Poland. Two hundred fourteen patients were recruited from specialist outpatient clinics in Warsaw to complete voluntarily an anonymous questionnaire created for the purpose of this study. Within the past year, 82% stated having at least one respiratory infection, and 72% of patients were aware of the recommendation for annual vaccination against the flu. Forty-three percent of patients reported receiving the flu vaccine at least once, and only 20% followed through with annual vaccination. The most common sources of information about the importance of annual flu vaccination were from their doctors (47%) and the media (26%). Relatively few asthmatic patients in Warsaw get annual flu vaccinations despite the recommendations. These results were mainly sourced due to uncorrected fears and a lack of information about the importance of prophylaxis in asthma. It is essential to create effective strategies to inform patients with asthma of the importance of annual vaccinations.