Evaluating the Impact of Vaccine Education for Healthcare Providers on PCV Vaccination Rates

Abstract

Background: Pneumococcal disease poses a significant health risk to adults aged 50 and older. In January 2025, the CDC updated its guidelines to recommend pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) for adults beginning at age 50, expanding eligibility from the previous threshold of 65 years (Kobayashi, 2025). This recent change has contributed to a temporary lag in vaccination rates for the newly included age group. Persistent barriers such as vaccine hesitancy and limited provider engagement in proactive vaccine counseling continue to hinder uptake. Primary care providers play a critical role in patient education and vaccine advocacy, making provider-focused interventions a promising strategy to improve immunization rates. Methods: This quality improvement project utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model and was guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. A brief, 20-minute educational session was delivered to healthcare providers and support staff at a primary care clinic in Peoria, Arizona. The session included CDC-based handouts and a PowerPoint presentation on PCV guidelines, risks of pneumococcal disease, and communication strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed changes in provider knowledge, confidence, and vaccine-related behaviors. A follow-up survey was administered three weeks later to evaluate sustained impact. Results: Three participants completed the initial surveys, and two completed the follow-up. Post-intervention scores showed improvements in familiarity with CDC guidelines (from 3.33 to 5.00), confidence in identifying eligible patients (from 3.00 to 5.00), and comfort initiating vaccine conversations. Follow-up responses indicated increased vaccine recommendations, more in-depth patient discussions, and sustained confidence in addressing hesitancy. Participants also reported barriers such as time constraints and EMR limitations and expressed interest in ongoing education. Conclusions: Targeted provider education significantly improved knowledge, confidence, and vaccine-related communication behaviors. These findings support the use of brief, evidencebased interventions to enhance provider engagement and address vaccine hesitancy in primary care settings. Future efforts should include chart audits and broader staff participation to assess long-term impact and scalability.