570 - “I don’t know”: The Typical Response When Taking Pneumococcal Immunization Histories in Kidney Transplant Candidates

Background: Vaccine-preventable diseases account for significant morbidity and mortality in the kidney transplant (KT) patient population. AST Guidelines support review and documentation of pneumococcal vaccines in KT candidate infectious disease (ID) evaluations. The objective of this study is to determine the number of KT candidates screened for prior pneumococcal immunizations and the frequency of vaccines ordered by providers when indicated at Mayo Clinic Florida’s (MCF) Transplant Center.

Methods: This study was an institution-based retrospective analysis of all KT candidates evaluated at MCF from December 2, 2019 – January 14, 2020. Data collection was obtained by electronic health record review. Outcomes included known history and documentation rates of prior pneumococcal vaccinations (both Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23) by infectious disease (ID) providers, as well as pneumococcal vaccine order frequency during ID pre-transplant evaluation when indicated. Data analysis was done using simple descriptive statistics.

Results: Sixty-one patients underwent KT evaluation during the study period. Among the 61 patients, 20 (32.8%) and 20 (32.8%) had a known prior history of receiving Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23 vaccinations, respectively. Vaccine history was unknown for Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23 in 39 (63.9%) patients. Vaccine status was not documented by ID providers in 2 (3.3%) patients. When appropriate, ID providers ordered Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23 in 38 (92.7%) and 41 (100%) patients, respectively. Orders included both electronic and written documentation to account for patients planning immunization elsewhere. Of the 38 patients advised to receive the Prevnar 13 vaccine, 17 (41.5%) patients were documented completing immunization. Pneumovax 23 order completion rates were not recorded since the study period only lasted six weeks due to closure by COVID-19.Table 1. Pneumococcal Vaccine History Documentation Rates Obtained by Patient Recall or Records
Table 2. Pneumococcal Vaccine Order Rates at Pre-Kidney Transplant Consultations
Table 3. Prevnar 13 Order Completion Rate by Documentation


Conclusion: The data reflect a high number of patients who either do not recall or have documentation of prior pneumococcal vaccination available at time of KT ID evaluation. Providers documented history of pneumococcal vaccinations extremely well, ordering immunizations when necessary. This study highlights lack of portability of immunization histories in a given patient population and opportunity for improved care.