Catching Our Breath: A Simple Plan to Improve Pneumococcal Vaccination in COPD
Leonor BERNARDES, Ana GORJÃO, Diogo PEREIRA and Marta PINTO
Pneumococcal vaccination is essential for preventing pneumonia and reducing exacerbations in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a particularly vulnerable group and a priority according to national and international guidelines. At USF do Arco, pneumococcal vaccination coverage was found to be below recommended levels, prompting the development of an intervention project aimed at improving this indicator.The main objective was to increase, over a three-month period, the proportion of COPD patients with up-to-date pneumococcal vaccination to ≥ 85%. Vaccination status was considered up-to-date when patients had received at least one vaccine appropriate to their age and clinical condition, in line with current recommendations.The target population was identified using electronic clinical records. The intervention consisted of simple, replicable measures: systematic identification of vaccination status; proactive contact with eligible patients; integration of vaccination checks into all clinical encounters (opportunistic vaccination); development of educational materials, and a brief team meeting to standardize procedures. Evaluation indicators included the proportion of patients with updated vaccination, the number of contacts made, and the acceptance rate of the vaccine.The intervention is expected to significantly increase pneumococcal vaccination coverage among COPD patients, reducing the risk of pneumonia and exacerbations.By promoting systematic assessment and opportunistic vaccination, this project reinforces a preventive and integrated approach to COPD management within the USF. Its design supports efficiency, feasibility, and alignment with guideline-based care.The simplicity and sustainability of the intervention allow for continuous incorporation into routine practice and replication in annual quality-improvement cycles.
