At-Risk Providers Exhibit Low Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates

Pneumococcal vaccination rates were considerably low among at-risk internal medicine specialists (internists), according to a study in Vaccine: X.¹ Amid a slew of various reasons, it’s important to improve general vaccination coverage for internists and other health care providers in order to protect themselves and their patients.

“Despite their clinical expertise and greater awareness due to their daily professional roles, physicians are not exempt from the risks of pneumococcal diseases. Their routine exposure to potentially at-risk patients increases the likelihood of disease transmission, which can be prevented by vaccination,” wrote the authors of the study. “In addition, physicians carry a moral obligation as role models to avoid the spread of infection to the patients, their family members, and the general population.”

A recent cross-sectional study revealed disparities in the health care landscape with only 11.6% of at-risk internists vaccinated against pneumococcal disease.¹

Conducted by the Indonesian Society of Internal Medicine, the research analyzed 545 internists who were considered at-risk due to being over 50 years old, having chronic or immunocompromised conditions, or treating highly vulnerable patient populations.

READ MORE: Different Messaging for Older Adults Can Increase Vaccination Rates

For pharmacists serving as community-based vaccine providers, these findings underscore the urgent need for heightened advocacy and professional self-regulation within the medical community.^2-4

Internists are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to treat adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness, including conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Because they are on the frontlines of care, their vaccination status is not merely a personal health choice but a professional obligation.^2,3,5

The rationale for the immunization of health care providers relies on protecting the providers themselves from occupational acquisition of diseases and, crucially, preventing the transmission of vaccine-preventable illnesses to their patients. Many patients seen by internists, such as neonates, the elderly, or the immunocompromised, are at high risk for serious complications or death and may not develop a strong immune response to vaccines themselves.^4,5

The CDC currently recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults 50 years or older and for younger adults with specific risk conditions. These vaccines, which include pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide versions, are essential for preventing invasive diseases where bacteria invade normally sterile parts of the body, such as the blood.⁴

Despite these clear guidelines, the low uptake among providers suggests that misconceptions about risk and vaccine safety persist even within medical circles. Research indicates that vaccine hesitancy among health care staff can stem from a low perceived risk of infection or concerns about adverse effects, which can inadvertently increase hesitancy in the general population.^5,6

Ethically, health care providers have a moral responsibility to protect the patients they are privileged to care for. When providers continue to work while contagious—a phenomenon noted in past outbreaks of pertussis and influenza—they become the primary source of infection for their colleagues and patients, wrote the authors of a study published in Healthcare.⁵

Although mandatory vaccination policies have shown success in achieving nearly 100% uptake in some facilities, they remain controversial and can be seen as discriminatory if not implemented with careful dialogue.^5,6

According to Immunize.org, current recommendations for health care personnel also emphasize the need for documenting immunity to other diseases, such as hepatitis B and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, as well as receiving annual influenza shots, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis boosters, and meningococcal vaccines for specific laboratory personnel.⁷

For pharmacists, the role of community-based vaccine provider is increasingly vital as coverage rates for various adult immunizations continue to decline. Pharmacists can bridge the gap by fostering open dialogues with both patients and fellow health care professionals about the safety and efficacy of vaccines like the pneumococcal formulations.^3,6

By addressing barriers such as convenient access and lack of leadership support, pharmacists and internists can work together to increase immunization rates. Achieving high vaccination coverage is a collective necessity to preserve health care services and promote herd immunity within the clinical environment.^4,5

“We found that pneumococcal vaccination coverage is relatively low despite the global burden of pneumococcal disease and adult vaccine recommendations,” concluded the authors of the current study.¹ “Further targeted interventions are needed in order to improve vaccination coverage, especially among at-risk internists.”

READ MORE: Pneumococcal Resource Center

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REFERENCES

1. Wicaksono C, Yunihastuti E, Nasution SA, et al. Pneumococcal vaccination coverage in at-risk internists and factors influencing pneumococcal vaccination. Vaccine: X. April 11, 2026:100813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100813

2. What is an internist (doctor of internal medicine)? Cleveland Clinic. October 13, 2025. Accessed April 20, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/internist

3. Internal medicine physicians urge adults to get recommended vaccinations to protect against preventable diseases. News Release. American College of Physicians. August 12, 2024. Accessed April 20, 2026. https://www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom/internal-medicine-physicians-urge-adults-to-get-recommended-vaccinations-to-protect-against

4. Pneumococcal vaccination. CDC. February 25, 2026. Accessed April 20, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/vaccines/index.html

5. Maltezou HC, Poland GA. Immunization of health-care providers: necessity and public health policies. Healthcare (Basel). 2016 Aug 1;4(3):47. doi: 10.3390/healthcare4030047.

6. Khunti K, Kamal A, Pareek M, Griffiths A. Should vaccination for healthcare workers be mandatory? J R Soc Med. 2021 May;114(5):235-236. doi: 10.1177/01410768211013525.

7. Healthcare personnel vaccination recommendations. Immunize.org. Accessed April 20, 2026. https://www.immunize.org/wp-content/uploads/catg.d/p2017.pdf