Vaccination coverage in patients affected by chronic diseases: A 2014 cross-sectional study among subjects hospitalized at Bari Policlinico General Hospital.

Subjects affected by at least 1 chronic disease are the target of influenza vaccination strategies because they are at high risk of influenza complications or death. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate flu and pneumococcal vaccination coverage (VC) in a sample of patients hospitalized at Bari Policlinico General Hospital (South Italy). According to national public health guidelines, these patients should have been vaccinated at hospital discharge by general practitioners. There were 540 patients involved in the study, and the average age was of 46.9 ± 13.4 years (range, 0-64 years). We assessed the vaccination status of 412 of 540 (76.3%) patients. The overall VC was 22.8% (94/412) for influenza and 7.2% (30/412) for pneumococcal vaccine. Doctor recommendation has a pivotal importance in vaccine acceptance, and recent experiences seem to show a high efficacy of the vaccination offer during hospitalization. This model could be helpful to improve influenza and pneumococcal vaccination offers to patient with underlying chronic conditions.