Keywords: heart failure; pneumococcal vaccination; primary prevention

Aim:

In 2023, pneumonia caused 4.2% of total mortality in Portugal and remained the respiratory disease with the highest mortality. The incidence of pneumonia increases with age and is more frequent in males, smokers, immunocompromised patients and in chronic diseases such as Heart Failure (HF). To assess the adequacy of pneumococcal vaccination in patients diagnosed with HF at a family health unit (FHU).

Method:

Observational and descriptive continuous quality improvement study between January and December 2024. Study unit: users registered at the FHU with a diagnosis of active IC. Internal and retrospective evaluation.

Results:

In the first evaluation of 260 users identified, only 36 had a complete pneumococcal vaccination schedule. In the second assessment of the 248 patients included 47 had a complete pneumococcal vaccination schedule. The final assessment identified 304 patients with HF of whom 74 had a complete pneumococcal vaccination schedule.

Conclusions:

A low percentage of HF patients with pneumococcal vaccination was identified. After multiple interventions, there was an increase in the number of patients with a complete vaccination schedule. One of the main difficulties was the refusal of vaccination by users, for economic reasons as well as concerns about the safety of vaccines.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: It is essential to invest in health literacy and raise awareness of the importance of vaccination. The progressive expansion of the groups with free access and/or greater reimbursement of the cost of vaccines are key measures for greater adherence on the part of users.