Improving adherence to national recommendations for zoster vaccination through simple interventions

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination rates in the US were low in 2011 (15.8%).
• Physician knowledge, attitudes, and practices are key to increasing vaccine uptake.
• Barriers to HZ vaccination need to be identified and addressed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of interventions on physicians' knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers regarding HZ vaccination.
• To increase the utilization of the HZ vaccine among eligible patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional internet survey of general internal medicine physicians was conducted before and 1 year after interventions.
• Interventions included physician education, improved vaccine availability, and electronic medical record reminders.
• McNemar chi-square tests analyzed changes in knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers.

Main Results:

• Physician knowledge of HZ annual incidence significantly increased (30% to 70%, P=0.02).
• The proportion of physicians reporting low patient vaccination rates decreased (57% to 40%).
• Average monthly HZ vaccine usage increased by 156% at the affiliated outpatient pharmacy.

Conclusions:

• Implemented interventions effectively enhanced physicians' basic knowledge of the HZ vaccine.
• The study demonstrated a significant increase in HZ vaccine usage following the interventions.
• Nursing administration of the vaccine was identified as a highly effective intervention strategy.