Evaluating the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines against hospitalization and intensive care unit admission in adults

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccines concerning hospital or intensive care unit (ICU) admissions due to pneumonia after vaccination. Setting: Inpatient and ICUs at Hamad General Hospital. Methods: The retrospective study included adults who were vaccinated between June 2012 and June 2013. Patient records were reviewed for hospital or ICU admissions due to pneumonia 2 years before and after vaccination. Main outcomes measures: The primary outcome was to compare the rates of hospital and ICU admissions for pneumonia 2 years before and after vaccination. The secondary outcome was to evaluate the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccines against different comorbidities. Key findings: One hundred sixty-one patients were included with a dominant age group of 64–85 (52%) years old. Comorbidities reported were hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The rate of hospital admission due to pneumonia was significantly reduced within 2 years after vaccination, 71–39% (P < 0.001). There was a trend towards reduced ICU admission (12.4–10.6%), but the results did not achieve statistical significance (P > 0.72). In diabetic, hypertensive and COPD/Asthma patients, there was a statistically significant reduction in hospitalization. Although there was a reduction in ICU admission for both commodities, the results did not achieve statistical significance. Conclusion: Adults who received pneumococcal vaccines experienced reduced rates of hospital versus ICU admissions due to pneumonia infection.