Patient-Provider Herpes Zoster Vaccination Discussion: Insights From Observed Primary Care Visits in the United States
Author(s)
Nikita Stempniewicz, MSc1, Zachary N. Hebert, MA2, Rita Campos, PharmaD1, Daniel Verdi, MD1, Justin Gatwood, PhD, MPH1;
1GSK, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2Verilogue, Philadelphia, PA, USA
1GSK, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2Verilogue, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to summarize observations from discussions of herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination between older adults and primary care providers (PCPs) in the United States (US).
METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed retrospective data from de-identified audio recordings of medical visits and associated transcripts. Recordings included conversations among adults aged ≥50 years and PCPs in a community setting and occurred between 01/01/2022 and 07/31/2024. A sample of 100 audio recordings where HZ vaccination was verbally considered, involving 19 unique PCPs, was included. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed to describe the behavior of participants and discussion dynamics.
RESULTS: Approximately half of the visits occurred during the influenza vaccination season; patient representation was similar across sex, age (50-64 versus ≥65 years), and race (white versus non-white). The average (standard deviation) recorded visit length was 14.3 (7.8) minutes. On average, 16.1% of the recorded visit was spent discussing vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination against those, 7.3% on HZ vaccination, and 0.6% on HZ disease. The topic of HZ vaccination was introduced by PCPs in 79% of visits; 16% of those introductions were in a presumptive format. The most discussed HZ-related topics included convenience of vaccination (48%), vaccine side effects (24%), and history of varicella (24%). Observed recommendations for vaccination were strong in 41% of all visits, mild in 25%, and neutral in 31%; recommendations against vaccination were observed in 3% of visits. Some evidence of patient acceptance of HZ vaccination was observed in 64% of visits and intent to not receive vaccination/vaccinate in 14%; 22% had undecided/unclear outcomes. Stratified results suggested different outcomes across patient demographics.
CONCLUSIONS: HZ vaccination discussions were typically brief and PCP-initiated. While most patients accepted HZ vaccination, variability in how PCPs introduced the topic and recommended vaccination highlights a potential opportunity to enhance communication and improve HZ prevention. Funding: GSK (VEO-000985).
METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed retrospective data from de-identified audio recordings of medical visits and associated transcripts. Recordings included conversations among adults aged ≥50 years and PCPs in a community setting and occurred between 01/01/2022 and 07/31/2024. A sample of 100 audio recordings where HZ vaccination was verbally considered, involving 19 unique PCPs, was included. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed to describe the behavior of participants and discussion dynamics.
RESULTS: Approximately half of the visits occurred during the influenza vaccination season; patient representation was similar across sex, age (50-64 versus ≥65 years), and race (white versus non-white). The average (standard deviation) recorded visit length was 14.3 (7.8) minutes. On average, 16.1% of the recorded visit was spent discussing vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination against those, 7.3% on HZ vaccination, and 0.6% on HZ disease. The topic of HZ vaccination was introduced by PCPs in 79% of visits; 16% of those introductions were in a presumptive format. The most discussed HZ-related topics included convenience of vaccination (48%), vaccine side effects (24%), and history of varicella (24%). Observed recommendations for vaccination were strong in 41% of all visits, mild in 25%, and neutral in 31%; recommendations against vaccination were observed in 3% of visits. Some evidence of patient acceptance of HZ vaccination was observed in 64% of visits and intent to not receive vaccination/vaccinate in 14%; 22% had undecided/unclear outcomes. Stratified results suggested different outcomes across patient demographics.
CONCLUSIONS: HZ vaccination discussions were typically brief and PCP-initiated. While most patients accepted HZ vaccination, variability in how PCPs introduced the topic and recommended vaccination highlights a potential opportunity to enhance communication and improve HZ prevention. Funding: GSK (VEO-000985).
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EPH107
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
STA: Vaccines