Rate of preventative vaccine use and vaccine beliefs among a commercially insured population

Immunization is an important component of preventive healthcare services. By recognizing and understanding factors associated with suboptimal vaccination compliance, healthcare providers can better approach at-risk populations and target efforts at reinforcing the vital importance of immunizations. The objective of this study was to understand the factors associated with adherence, beliefs and behaviors of influenza, pneumococcal, and herpes zoster vaccines receipt among commercially insured adults. A cross-sectional survey of patients with medical and pharmacy benefits for a 24-month period between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2016 who were eligible to receive at least one of three adult vaccines (influenza, pneumococcal, and herpes zoster) was completed. Patients were identified as eligible to receive a vaccine based on current guidelines from the CDC ACIP. Health plan members were identified from administrative claims data in the HealthCore Integrated Research DatabaseSM (HIRD). Among the participants, 11% were eligible and up-to-date on all three vaccines; 52% on some and 37% were not up-to-date on any of the three vaccines. Participants with a healthcare provider were more likely to be up-to-date on eligible vaccines: 79.9% for none, 91.3% for some, and 97.8% for all eligible vaccines. The composite Vaccine Myth Belief score was significantly associated with being up to date on eligible vaccines: 45.0%/12.8% for none, 12/5%/30.8% for some, and 8.9%/33.3% for those up-to-date on all eligible vaccines. Despite numerous interventions designed to increase vaccination rates among adults, compliance remains suboptimal. It is evident that patient and provider education is necessary to fill knowledge gaps and misunderstandings; however knowledge by itself is not sufficient to improve immunization practices. Our results highlight a population that could benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, including interventions at the individual and health system levels.