Patient-Focused Strategies Are Most Effective for Boosting Pneumococcal Vaccination

Although only modestly significant, patient-focused strategies were deemed to be the most effective intervention for improving pneumococcal vaccine coverage, according to authors of a study published in Infectious Medicine.¹

“Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) represents a real public health issue worldwide, especially in the case of at-risk patients, which are predisposed to have a severe form of this infection,” wrote the authors of the study. “The optimal approach, both health care and economic wise, is through pneumococcal vaccination, which can prevent morbidity, mortality, and increase the quality of life for the patients. Even with this in mind, the vaccination coverage is still low, especially among at-risk patients.”

The findings of this meta-analysis of 16 studies emphasize that direct patient engagement is superior to indirect methods focused on health care professionals alone. Although physician-facilitated interventions remain the most common, pharmacist-led strategies have shown a positive and promising trend toward increasing coverage.¹

Researchers found that top-performing results were frequently associated with direct interventions such as sending educational letters to patients or providing reminders, which yielded a substantial difference in the number of vaccinated individuals.

READ MORE: Multilevel Barriers Limit Pneumococcal Vaccination in Rural Pharmacies

For pharmacists, the potential to impact these rates is significant when they move beyond traditional roles. Research indicates that when pharmacists serve as a combination of educator, facilitator, and advocate, they can achieve a relative risk of over 11 for pneumococcal vaccine uptake among older adults.²

By identifying eligible patients, obtaining consent, and coordinating with other health care providers, pharmacists act as system-level navigators who reduce missed opportunities for immunization.^2,3

This influence extends across the lifespan, including critical improvements in pediatric care. Pharmacists integrated into specialized workflows for high-risk children, such as those with cystic fibrosis or diabetes, have been shown to drastically increase the percentage of patients who are up-to-date with their vaccinations.³

Whether through direct administration where legally permitted or by managing digital infrastructure like electronic health record prompts, the pharmacist’s presence in the care pathway ensures that vaccination becomes a routine part of clinical management.

However, providing these services requires pharmacists to navigate complex clinical guidelines and funding barriers. For instance, in jurisdictions like Canada, pharmacists must educate patients on the specific sequencing of the 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) to maximize protection.⁴

Even when certain vaccines are not publicly funded, pharmacists have an ethical obligation to recommend them based on clinical indication, helping patients make informed decisions that prioritize health outcomes over immediate cost considerations.

Despite their success as advocates for the public, pharmacists face a professional paradox regarding their own health behaviors. A global meta-analysis revealed that only about 20.8% of pharmacists are vaccinated against pneumococcus themselves.⁵

Many health care professionals remain unvaccinated due to misconceptions about their own risk levels or doubts regarding vaccine efficacy. Addressing these internal barriers through continuous education is essential, as high vaccination rates among the profession are necessary to maintain credibility as trusted advocates for the broader community.

The shift toward more personalized, patient-oriented strategies positions the pharmacist as a central figure in public health. By leveraging their accessibility and trust to provide direct education and facilitation, pharmacists can help overcome the low coverage rates that continue to leave at-risk populations vulnerable to severe infection.^2,3

“This meta-analysis found that interventions aimed at improving pneumococcal vaccination coverage had a modest but statistically significant overall effect, with direct, patient-focused strategies, especially educational ones, proving most effective,” concluded authors of the current study.¹ “Future research should emphasize standardized methodologies, broader geographic representation, and multidisciplinary approaches.”

READ MORE: Pneumococcal Resource Center

REFERENCES

1. Cireașă B, Leguelinel-Blache G, Occéan BV, et al. Interventions to improve pneumococcal vaccination coverage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Infectious Medicine. 2026;5(1):100238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imj.2026.100238

2. Halpern L. Pharmacist-led interventions significantly increase pneumococcal vaccine uptake in older adults. Pharmacy Times. July 19, 2025. Accessed May 26, 2026. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/pharmacist-led-interventions-significantly-increase-pneumococcal-vaccine-uptake-in-older-adults

3. Amare SN, Leung M, Yee KC, et al. Pharmacists’ contribution to improving vaccination uptake among children: a systematic review. Res Social Adm Pharm. Published online May 19, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2026.05.007

4. Oleksyn C. The role of pharmacists in providing recommended vaccines. Can Pharm J (Ott). 2019 Oct 18;152(6):406-410. doi: 10.1177/1715163519877897.

5. Waszkiewicz M, Wnuk K, Świtalski J, et al. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines uptake among pharmacists: systematic review and meta-analysis. Commun Med (Lond). 2025 Jul 1;5(1):258. doi: 10.1038/s43856-025-00976-7.