[AVBC 2025] Improving Uptake of both Influenza and Neumococcal Vaccinations Among Immunocompromised Patients
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
National University Health System
16 December 2025
To increase the vaccination rates for both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in the rheumatology specialist outpatient. The intervention shows promise for improving vaccination uptake among immunocompromised patients, demonstrating the effectiveness of a.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 16 December 2025
Tags: Care Continuum, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Preventive Care, Patient Education, Outpatient Care, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign
About this Content
Aims
To increase the vaccination rates for both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in the rheumatology specialist outpatient clinic (SOC) before initiating biologic or targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to 75%.
Improving the Uptake of both Influenza and Neumococcal Vaccinations Among Immunocompromised Patients at an Outpatient Rheumatology Clinic
Background
Patients with rheumatic disease on immunosuppressants are at increased risk of infections and their associated complications. Despite the established benefits of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in preventing infections, vaccination uptake among these patients is low.
Methods
This quality improvement project was conducted over 4 phases using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model to design targeted solutions. Data were collected and stored in the web-based Research Electronic Data Capture platform.
Results
The project was successful and consistently achieved 75% uptake of both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines among these vulnerable patients. Pre-implementation vaccination rate was 30.4% and post-implementation rate was 95.0%.
Conclusion
The intervention shows promise for improving vaccination uptake among immunocompromised patients, demonstrating the effectiveness of a structured, multidisciplinary approach.
Lessons Learnt
The multidisciplinary approach demonstrated the value of teamwork in improving long-term patient outcomes. Root causes such as lack of patient education and concerns about vaccine safety were addressed through targeted interventions.
Keywords
vaccination, rheumatology, immunocompromised, quality improvement
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National University Health System |
Organization(s) Involved | National University Hospital |
Platform(s) | Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Rheumatology |
Project Lead(s) | May Shuen Tang |
Project Member(s) | Ginny Goh |
Connect with this contributor!
May Shuen Tang - Tang_May_Shuen@nuhs.edu.sg