Practice Tools and Resources
The following selection of links related to Adult Pneumococcal Disease is provided as an additional resource for healthcare professionals visiting the Adult Pneumococcal Disease: Know Your Options educational program. These notable sites provide a wide array of educational content including patient education materials. This collection of resources will continue to be updated to reflect the latest information on Adult Pneumococcal Disease.
Adult Pneumococcal Immunization Toolkit
http://www.adultvaccination.org/healthcare/pneumococcal_vaccine_toolkit_adult_immunize.htm
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has developed a toolkit to improve pneumococcal immunization rates among adults to reduce the impact of related illness and death in this population. The burden of invasive pneumococcal disease in the US lies primarily among adults; 85 percent of all cases occur in people age 18 or older. Vaccination rates are low despite the fact that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for all adults age 65 and older and younger adults who have certain chronic conditions. To help healthcare professionals maximize opportunities to vaccinate their patients, NFID created a Professional Practice Toolkit including materials designed to help educate adult patients about the importance of pneumococcal prevention and assess their risk for pneumococcal disease as well as various tools to support providers’ vaccination efforts. The materials are available in English and Spanish, and include information that can be tailored for practices that serve populations affected by disease and immunization disparities (e.g., African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska natives).
NFID Clinical Updates: Update on Preventing Pneumococcal Disease in Adults
Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice, January 2012, Volume 20, Issue 1, pp 3–9
File, Thomas M. Jr MD, MSc; Hogue, Michael D. PharmD; Nichol, Kristin L. MD, MPH, MBA; Schaffner, William MD
Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is responsible for substantial clinical and economic burden in adults. Despite the safety and effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines in protecting against these serious infections, immunization of eligible adults remains largely underused. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recently expanded the use of the pneumococcal vaccine to include adults with asthma and all cigarette smokers, in addition to persons previously designated as at-risk. Improving adult pneumococcal immunization rates will require efforts from a broad range of healthcare providers. Clinicians should take a proactive approach in recommending the vaccine to eligible adults and should implement strategies that remove barriers to immunization efforts.
Recommended ACIP Adult Immunization Schedule
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm#hcp
Adult Pneumococcal Disease: A Neglected Crisis?
20 Frequently Asked Questions (CME/CPE Monograph)
http://www.vemcomeded.com/e-monograph-01.asp
This CME/CPE monograph provides evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions pertaining to pneumococcal disease management and prevention. As a user-friendly reference guide, it aims to promote partnership among physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to maximize the use of adult pneumococcal vaccines for all at-risk adults.
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a
non-profit, tax-exempt 501c(3) organization founded in 1973 dedicated to
educating the public and healthcare professionals about the causes, treatment, and
prevention of infectious diseases.
This website provide a variety of resources pertaining to pneumococcal
disease management and prevention for both consumers and healthcare professionals.