Enhancing Herpes Zoster Vaccination Rates Among Oncology Outpatients: Impact of an In-House Vaccination Initiative

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Herpes zoster (HZ) presents a substantial risk to immunocompromised individuals, especially cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy.
• The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) offers robust protection against HZ, yet uptake remains suboptimal due to awareness and access barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a quality improvement (QI) initiative aimed at increasing RZV uptake among oncology outpatients receiving systemic therapy.

Main Methods:

• A single-center QI project utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to implement and monitor an in-house RZV vaccination campaign.
• Baseline vaccination coverage was established, and rates were tracked over a 14-month period within the oncology outpatient setting.

Main Results:

• Initial RZV coverage was low at 5.4% (24/446). After 14 months, the vaccination rate increased to 44% (200/365 evaluated patients).
• The initiative successfully vaccinated 55% of eligible patients, with mild, localized adverse events reported, confirming RZV's safety profile in this population.

Conclusions:

• An integrated, in-house RZV vaccination strategy within oncology services can significantly enhance vaccine coverage and patient engagement.
• Oncology teams play a crucial role in delivering preventive care, overcoming logistical barriers, and aligning with guidelines for comprehensive immunocompromised patient protection.