CDC PneumoRecs: Ensures Your Patients Receive the Correct Pneumococcal Vaccines at the Right Time in the Right Sequence

One of the most common tasks during my clinic day is to ensure my patients are up to date on their vaccinations. In 2015, the CDC/FDA/ACIP introduced the new pneumococcal conjugate 13 valent vaccines (PCV13) for use in adults in addition to the pneumococcal polysaccharide 23 valent vaccine (PPSV23). For many of our clinic’s nursing staff, residents and faculty, the transition caused some confusion. The guidelines have been revised slightly since then with the most current pneumococcal vaccine guidelines published in November 2018. Despite updates to existing “shots” apps such as Shots by STFM, CDV Vaccines, and ACP Immunization Advisor, the process can still be challenging to explain to patients and ensure immunizations are given at the right time and in the proper sequence.

Recently, the CDC entered the pneumococcal vaccine fray with their own app to help providers called, CDC PneumoRecs. This app covers both infant/child as well as adult pneumococcal vaccine. The app uses a patient’s date of birth (DOB) to calculate which vaccine(s) the patient requires, when, and in what sequence based on age and risk factors. We continue to be fans of the CDC’s apps. They have released the outstanding and recently released CDC Anticoag Manager, the related CDC PTT Advisor, an easy to use Vaccine Schedule app, an excellent STD app, Influenza app, GBS app , and Mobile Health app. We have also favorably reviewed their opioid and travel medicine apps.

Evidence-based medicine

CDC PneumoRecs utilizes the 2018 vaccine guidelines published by the ACIP and the CDC in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly to create an app the provides the recommended pneumococcal vaccine based on age, risk factors, and dosing interval. The app does not contain any reference tables or PDFs, but does link to the CDC website.

What providers would benefit from this App?

Students, residents, mid-levels, family medicine, pediatricians, internal medicine, hospitalists, nursing staff and any provider who administers adult immunizations.

Price

Free

Likes

  • Utilizes the 2018 ACIP and CDC vaccine recs.
  • UI uses patient date of birth to calculate the correct vaccine based on indication and proper dosing interval.
  • Available for Android.

Dislikes

  • Does not include any tables or PDF’s of the actual recs.
  • No hyperlinks for references included in app.
  • UI forces use of DOB/can’t just enter patient’s age.

Overall

Another winner from the CDC. They helped to create the existing crazy pneumonia vaccination recommendations so appreciate the effort to simplify the guidelines at the point-of-care. The app is almost too simple, lacking any of the supporting documentation. For a more detailed pneumococcal vaccine app (though more focused on adults) check out PVax app. Overall, the new CDC PneumoRecs app may help increase vaccinations and ensure the proper sequence of vaccines is provided just by using a simple app. 

Overall Score

  • 4.5 stars

User Interface

  • 4.0 stars

Simple interface the centers around age input and selection of risk factors to calculate results.

Multimedia Usage

  • 3.0 stars

No links for references or PDFs of those documents, just a single link to the CDC website.

Price

  • 5.0 stars

It’s  free!

Real-World Applicability

  • 5.0 stars

A great new app from the CDC the will help both primary care providers, hospitalists, and nurses ensure patients of any age receive the proper pneumonia vaccinations at the right time.

Device Used For Review

iPhone 8S running iOS 12.1.1

Available for Download for iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.