Use of Pneumococcal and influenza vaccine in patients with COPD, asthma bronchiale and interstitial lung diseases in south east Germany

The aim of this study was to analyse use of and adherence to influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in high-risk patients with chronic pulmonary disease. The study was initiated at the Centre of Pneumology in Donaustauf, Germany. All patients with asthma bronchiale (AB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) that were treated in a pneumological Non-ICU ward, in the sleep laboratory or in the outpatient's clinic between October 1st, 2019 and March 26th, 2020 and provided informed consent were included. Vaccination certificates and a vaccination-centred questionnaire were analysed in relation to vaccination status, risk factors, patient characteristics. 133 patients with COPD, 68 patients with AB and 104 patients with ILD were included. PCV13/PPSV23 vaccination only (no sequential vaccination) was performed in less than 10%/33% of all patients. Sequential vaccination of PCV13 and PPSV23 was performed in 12.8% of COPD, 7.4% of AB patients and 13.5% of ILD patients. Influenza vaccination was performed in less than 30% of all patients. Vaccinations were mainly performed by general practitioners (GPs) and rarely by specialists of pulmonary care (