Vaccination rates and adherence in pneumococcal conjugate vaccination in mature born infants before and after vaccination schedule change - A claims database analysis.

BACKGROUND

In August 2015, the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) changed the pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV) schedule for mature infants from a 3+1 scheme to a 2+1 scheme. It was expected that a reduction of doses would be associated with a higher acceptance of the vaccination. Aim of this study was to assess vaccination rates and adherence for PCV after the change of recommendation based on real-world data.

METHODS

A retrospective claims data analysis using the InGef Research Database was conducted. The study population consisted of all mature infants born in 2013 (last birth cohort completely under 3+1 recommendation) or 2016 (first birth cohort completely under 2+1 recommendation) with an individual follow-up of 24 months. Hexavalent combination vaccination (HEXA) with a consistent 3+1 recommendation was analyzed as reference.

RESULTS

After follow-up of 24 months, 90.9% (91.2%) of the 2016 (2013) cohort received at least one dose of PCV. At the same age, 67.7% of the 2013 cohort received a booster dose according to the 3+1 schedule and 75.6% of the 2016 cohort received a booster dose presumably either according to the 2+1 (71.7%) or 3+1 (3.9%) schedule. Of those receiving the booster dose, only 46.3% (2016) and 45.1% (2013) received the booster dose on time as recommended. The HEXA vaccination rate increased from 88.9% (2013) to 91.6% (2016) with a full series completion in 69.1% (2013) vs 72.9% (2016). The proportion of infants receiving the booster vaccination on time rose to 50.0% in 2016 (47.8% in 2013).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the rate for the PCV booster dose slightly increased, nearly a quarter of the infants born in 2016 did not receive a booster dose at all. Furthermore, vaccinations were still frequently delayed, and the rate of unvaccinated infants remained constant.