ResearchPosted on rand.org Oct 10, 2025Published in: Vaccine, Volume 64 (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127739
Pneumococcal disease contributes to significant morbidity in the United States. Before October 2024, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended pneumococcal vaccination for risk-eligible adults aged 19-64 years; however, as of 2023, vaccination coverage remained low (33.1%).
To understand factors associated with low vaccination coverage, in January 2024, a web-based survey was conducted among risk-eligible adults aged 19-64 years examining their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward pneumococcal vaccination.
Of 1533 eligible participants, 39.2% self-reported having received pneumococcal vaccination. Compared with vaccinated participants, unvaccinated participants were less familiar with and had lower perceived risk of pneumococcal disease and were less willing to receive pneumococcal vaccination following healthcare provider recommendation. Common reasons for not being vaccinated were lack of understanding of vaccine-qualifying risk conditions and lack of healthcare provider recommendations.
A multi-faceted approach, including optimization of provider and patient education, is necessary to increase vaccination coverage among risk-eligible adults.
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