Vaccination rates for influenza, pneumococcus, and zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have remained low, according to a recent study. Researchers targeted 1,255 patients with RA and found that simple electronic or paper reminders have produced only small increases in vaccination rates. They also discovered:

• Pneumococcal vaccination rates increased from 28.7% to 45.8%; in regression analysis, the rate of change in pneumococcal vaccination increased by 9.4% per year above baseline trends.

• The rate of zoster vaccination increased from 2.5% to 4.5% overall and from 3.0% to 6.6% among patients not receiving biologic therapy that precluded zoster vaccination.

• Likely barriers include lack of familiarity and difficulty using electronic reminders and order sets, uncertainly about the value and safety of recommended vaccines, and uncertainty about patients’ insurance coverage and prior vaccination history.

Citation: Baker D, Brown T, Yee J, et al. A multifaceted intervention to improve influenza, pneumococcal, and herpes zoster vaccination among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. [Published online ahead of print April 15, 2016]. J Rheumatol. doi:10.3899/jrheum.150984.