Pneumoccal vaccine: a focus for nursing.

Despite licensure and subsequent approval for reimbursement by Medicare for the pneumoccal vaccine nearly a decade ago, immunization of the target group of high risk individuals has been incomplete. Less than 10% of persons for whom the vaccine is recommended have been immunized. Nurses can play a key role in disease prevention and cost-effective medical care by facilitating immunization of those persons needing the pneumococcal vaccine.