28 Sep Pneumococcal Vaccine Rates Still Too Low Among Adults With Work-Related Asthma

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Katelynn Dodd

Katelynn Dodd MPH
Respiratory Health Division
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Morgantown WV 26505

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Adults with asthma are at increased risk for pneumococcal infection. Adults with asthma who get pneumococcal pneumonia are at risk for additional complications including asthma exacerbation and invasive pneumococcal disease. Our results indicated that adults with work-related asthma were more likely to have received a pneumococcal vaccine than adults with non-work-related asthma—54 percent compared to 35 percent respectively; however, pneumococcal vaccination coverage among all adults with asthma, work-related or not, who have ever been employed in this study falls short of achieving the coverage public health experts recommend. Among adults with work-related asthma, pneumococcal vaccine coverage was lowest among Hispanics (36 percent), those without health insurance (39 percent), and adults aged 18 to 44 years (42 percent).

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: CDC recommends all adults 19 through 64 years old with asthma should get the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Our findings indicate that far fewer adults who have ever worked and have asthma are getting pneumococcal vaccination than public health experts recommend. To improve pneumococcal disease prevention among adults with asthma, both work and non-work-related, healthcare providers should verify if their patients who have asthma have received the recommended  pneumococcal vaccines and, if they have not, offer them. Patients with asthma can also take an active role by knowing their vaccine status and asking their healthcare providers about the vaccine.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Public health and clinical efforts should continue to focus strategies to increase pneumococcal vaccination among adults with conditions that increase their risk for pneumococcal disease, including work related asthma.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: We analyzed data from the 2012-2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state-based telephone survey, which includes an optional follow-up survey that collects detailed information on asthma. We included nearly 10,000 adults aged 18–64 years from 29 states who currently have asthma. Only adults who have ever been employed were included in the analysis, representing an estimated 12 million people. An Important limitation of the study is that the information used in the analysis was for adults living in 29 states, so the results may not be representative nationally or of non-participating states.

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Citation:

Pneumococcal Vaccination Among Adults With Work-related Asthma
Dodd, Katelynn E. et al.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine , Volume 0 , Issue 0 ,

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions. 

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Last Updated on September 28, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD