EXPLORING PERSPECTIVES ON ADULT PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION: A QUALITATIVE PREFERENCE STUDY OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS (HCPS) AND HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS (HCCS) IN FRANCE, SPAIN, AND SOUTH KOREA
Author(s)
Bianca Chun, MPH1, Amanda Martino, MPH1, Kimberly Kelly, PhD, MPA2, Ana Maria Rodriguez-Leboeuf, PhD, MPH, MSc, DPT, BSc3, Jason Ritchie, PhD2, Brennah Fallon, MPH2, Martin Paczkowski, MPH2, Gem Roy, MD1, Salini Mohanty, DrPH, MPH1, Kelly D. Johnson, PhD, MPH, BSc1.
1Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, 2IQVIA Patient Centered Solutions, New York, NY, USA, 3IQVIA Patient Centered Solutions, Madrid, Spain.
1Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, 2IQVIA Patient Centered Solutions, New York, NY, USA, 3IQVIA Patient Centered Solutions, Madrid, Spain.
OBJECTIVES: Despite availability of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), pneumococcal disease (PD) remains a substantial burden among adults, particularly older individuals and those with underlying medical conditions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate healthcare provider (HCP) and healthcare consumer (HCC) knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and preferences regarding PD and adult pneumococcal vaccination in France, Spain, and South Korea.
METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 HCPs (physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) and 12 HCCs (adults ≥18 years) in France, Spain, and South Korea. Trained moderators followed semi-structured interview guides describing experiences with PD, vaccination practices, perceptions of risk, and drivers of vaccine decision making. Attributes influencing PCVs were discussed with HCPs. Interviews were audio‑recorded, transcribed in the native language, and translated into English for coding and qualitative analysis.
RESULTS: HCCs demonstrated limited knowledge of PD and pneumococcal vaccines, but vaccination decisions were strongly influenced by trust in healthcare providers and perceived personal risk particularly related to age and comorbidities. HCPs demonstrated knowledge of PD risk factors and target groups, mainly advising vaccination for older adults and high-risk patients. HCP perceptions of adult vaccination coverage varied, with broader uptake perceived in Spain, compared with France and South Korea. Structural barriers including cost, access, and time constraints were commonly cited as contributors to gaps between vaccine recommendation and uptake. HCPs consistently emphasized disease burden and breadth of protection as important considerations when evaluating pneumococcal vaccines
CONCLUSIONS: The findings align with themes identified across the broader multi-country study, including three countries previously presented at ISPOR EU 2025. These results highlight persistent knowledge gaps among HCCs and ongoing structural barriers to adult pneumococcal vaccination despite high levels of provider confidence in available vaccines. Addressing challenges related to access and ensuring that vaccine attributes correspond with provider priorities may facilitate improved uptake of adult vaccinations across varied healthcare systems.
METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 HCPs (physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) and 12 HCCs (adults ≥18 years) in France, Spain, and South Korea. Trained moderators followed semi-structured interview guides describing experiences with PD, vaccination practices, perceptions of risk, and drivers of vaccine decision making. Attributes influencing PCVs were discussed with HCPs. Interviews were audio‑recorded, transcribed in the native language, and translated into English for coding and qualitative analysis.
RESULTS: HCCs demonstrated limited knowledge of PD and pneumococcal vaccines, but vaccination decisions were strongly influenced by trust in healthcare providers and perceived personal risk particularly related to age and comorbidities. HCPs demonstrated knowledge of PD risk factors and target groups, mainly advising vaccination for older adults and high-risk patients. HCP perceptions of adult vaccination coverage varied, with broader uptake perceived in Spain, compared with France and South Korea. Structural barriers including cost, access, and time constraints were commonly cited as contributors to gaps between vaccine recommendation and uptake. HCPs consistently emphasized disease burden and breadth of protection as important considerations when evaluating pneumococcal vaccines
CONCLUSIONS: The findings align with themes identified across the broader multi-country study, including three countries previously presented at ISPOR EU 2025. These results highlight persistent knowledge gaps among HCCs and ongoing structural barriers to adult pneumococcal vaccination despite high levels of provider confidence in available vaccines. Addressing challenges related to access and ensuring that vaccine attributes correspond with provider priorities may facilitate improved uptake of adult vaccinations across varied healthcare systems.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
PCR95
Topic
Methodological & Statistical Research, Patient-Centered Research, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives
Disease
Infectious Disease (non-vaccine), Vaccines