Download Hospitalization Rate due to Immunization-Preventable

Target Not Met
Unit:
hospitalizations/10,000
population
View the Legend
Hospitalization Rate due to Immunization-Preventable
Pneumonia and Influenza 65+
Value:
4.9 hospitalizations/10,000 population
Community Target:
2.6 hospitalizations/10,000 population
Measurement
Period:
2007-2009
Location:
County : San Francisco
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Categories:
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Respiratory Diseases
What is this Indicator?
This indicator shows the average annual age-adjusted hospitalization rate due to immunization-preventable pneumonia per 10,000
people ages 65 and older.
Why this is important: According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 60,000 Americans die of pneumonia every year. Pneumonia is an
inflammation of the lungs that is usually caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms. Pneumonia is a particular
concern for older adults and people with chronic illnesses or impaired immune systems, but it can also strike young, healthy people.
Worldwide, it's a leading cause of death in children. Although signs and symptoms vary, many cases of pneumonia develop suddenly,
with chest pain, fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath. Infection often follows a cold or the flu, but it can also be associated with
other illnesses or occur on its own. Some forms of bacterial pneumonia are treatable with antibiotics, but antibiotic-resistant strains are
a growing problem.
The Community Target of 2.6 cases per 10,000 population represents the 90th percentile of all California counties. That is,
only 10 percent of California counties have lower rates. The 90th percentile target was borrowed from the County Health Rankings
project, which chose this measure because it struck a balance between achievability and improvement for most jurisdictions. Rates
based on less than 5 hospitalizations are not statistically reliable and were not reported.
Progress in the last year:
In 2006-2008, the hospitalization rate due to immunization-preventable pneumonia and influenza for those 65 years and older was
7.1 hospitalizations/10,000 population while in 2007-2009, it is 4.9 hospitalizations/10,000 population.
What is the current status?
SFDPH Communicable Disease Control & Prevention (CDCP) undertook a citywide campaign called Community Immunity aimed at
improving adult immunization rates for all vaccine-preventable diseases, including pneumonia and influenza. The campaign includes
billboards, ads, public service announcements (PSAs), and informational brochures in three languages. CDCP also distriubtes many
other educational materials - Flu Home Care Guide, Infect Me Not, Flu posters, and flyers, etc. These are free of charge to providers,
schools, and social service agencies. Every year there is a big push to get the word out about the importance of getting an annual flu
shot. CDCP also distributes flu vaccine to community-based clinics. In September, CDCP hosts an annual Flu and Infectious Disease
Forum which focuses on both childhood and adult vaccine-preventable disease with an emphasis on influenza.
What is needed to “move the needle”?
The new recommendation that flu shots now be given to all age groups, regardless of risk, changes the messaging and allows for a
more straight forward outreach. However, this will be a difficult recommendation to implement. Hospitals should have Standard
Operating Procedures that clearly state that all patients age 65+ be offered pneumonia vaccination. This should also be offered in all
hospital emergency departments. A new recommendation that the pneumonia vaccine be given to smokers needs to be promoted to
clinicians. Extra work is being done to make sure school age children are vaccinated for flu which data shows reduces the rate of
infection among older adults due to decreased exposures to the influenza virus.
Who are the Community Partners on this Indicator?
SFDPH Communicable Disease Control & Prevention (CDCP)
SFDPH Community Oriented Primary Care
San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium
San Francisco hospitals and healthcare providers
San Francisco Department of Aging & Adult Services