Management of prophylaxis in Streptococcus pneumoniae infection

Introduction. In view of the continuing development of vaccines for various diseases, there is a need not only to keep health professionals informed, but also to understand how they perceive the risks of certain diseases for certain groups of patients. It is particularly important to identify how the perception of immunizations by both the medical profession and the direct beneficiaries, the patients, can be influenced. Materials and method. The study was based on a survey of 42 family physicians attending a symposium on the ma­nage­ment of patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae in­fec­tion. Data had been collected from participants be­fore they heard the lectures at the event. Results. The in­for­ma­tion gathered from the survey revealed that doc­tors consider it useful for the health system to support im­mu­ni­za­tion programs in order to increase immunization rates. It also revealed that the way one vaccination campaign is car­ried out can influence another, and that the doctor has a significant role in influencing the patient’s immunization. Conclusions. The success of vaccination campaigns in ensuring a good immunization rate depends on a good correlation between the involvement of the health system through the national immunization program, the health insurance system and the work of doctors who can significantly influence the patient’s decision to be vaccinated.