The Scope of the Problem: Suboptimal Vaccination Rates

The white paper, funded by Pfizer Belgium and developed by IQVIA Belux, reveals startling insights into pneumococcal vaccination coverage in Belgium. Based on an analysis of pharmacy dispensing data over an 11-year period, the study found that only 13% of at-risk individuals are vaccinated. This suboptimal rate leaves a significant proportion of high-risk populations vulnerable to severe complications of pneumococcal disease, such as sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia.

Key findings from the research include:

• Highest vaccination rates (21%) were observed among immunocompromised patients.
• Patients with two or more comorbidities, such as chronic heart disease and diabetes, had a vaccination rate of 17%.
• Vaccination rates were lowest for patients with "other comorbidities" (7%), such as chronic liver, kidney, or neurological conditions.
• A geographical disparity was identified, with systematically lower vaccination rates in the southern region of Belgium.