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Original Articles
The Pattern of Vaccine Administration Accessed by Vaccine Consumption in a University Hospital
Jung-Soo Kim, M.D.1, Yong Soo Baek, M.D.1, Moon-Hyun Chung, M.D.1, Jin-Soo Lee, M.D.1 and Kyung Sun Oh, M.D.2
Department of Internal Medicine1, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea Department of Pharmacy2, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea
Vol.40 Num.3 (p154~161)
Background:Studies on immunization in Korea mainly focus to the coverage rates in recipients. The attitudes of health-care providers regarding immunization are rarely evaluated. Therefore, to assess the pattern of vaccine administration by health-care personnel, the vaccine consumption in a university hospital was investigated.
Materials and Methods:The vaccine consumption in a university hospital during 2 months (September and October) in 2 years (2002 and 2007) was evaluated. September is representative of months when influenza vaccine is not available, whereas October is representative of months when influenza vaccine is available. These monthly data were summarized by departments and vaccines.
Results:Vaccine consumption over the 5-year period increased primarily because of the increased use of the influenza and tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccines in adults. In 2007, the most frequently administered vaccine during the influenza season was the influenza vaccine, followed by the Td vaccine. In the same year, the Td vaccine was the most frequently administered vaccine during the non-influenza season. Compared to 2002, there was a marked increase in the use of the hepatitis A virus (7-fold), Japanese encephalitis (6-fold), and pneumococcal polysaccharide (3-fold) vaccines in 2007; the Td, meningococcal, and pneumococcal protein-conjugated vaccines were not available in 2002. In adults, pneumococcal vaccination was increasingly prescribed concomitant with the increased influenza vaccination; a similar trend was not observed in children. The use of vaccines in most departments was confined to the influenza vaccine, and the majority of Td vaccine was consumed in the emergency department. As compared to the internal medicine and family medicine departments, fewer vaccines were prescribed by the neurology, surgical, and minor specialty departments, especially in the non-influenza season.
Conclusion:Although vaccine consumption increased during the 5-year period, the increase was attributed to the increased consumption of the influenza vaccine. Promotion and education regarding the use of non-influenza vaccines are needed.
Keywords : Vaccine, Immunization, Utilization, Health personnel, Hospital pharmacy service