Pneumococcal Disease Prevention

Acepta el reto, ¡Vacúnate! / Accept the challenge: get vaccinated!

The overall goal of our initiative is to modify and sustain health behavior through comprehensive, sustainable partnerships and interventions in order to increase immunization outreach, education and access in Puerto Rico, leading to improved pneumococcal and influenza vaccine coverage rates among the 65+ population.

To accomplish these goals, the proposed initiatives will build upon existing successes of outreach programs already started by VOCES and through working with community organizations and health care systems/professionals on the Island. Together we will develop, implement and evaluate the efficacy of four different interventions, aiming to increase pneumococcal and influenza vaccines rates in the adult population of Puerto Rico.

Our key objectives are the following:

• Assess and strengthen Pneumococcal and Influenza standing order system in order to improve vaccination coverage
• Develop capacity among health care providers and non-physician clinicians to modify health behaviors and increase education
• Provide vaccinations in healthcare settings to increase access
• Develop a culturally appropriate adult vaccination campaign to increase education and outreach