Hippo Labs developed these Pneumococcal indicators using NHS Digital GPES and QOF extraction logic, supported by additional research and validation from Hippo’s clinical team.
They help practices systematically identify and recall eligible patients for pneumococcal vaccination, based on age and clinical risk factors.
📋 The Eligible Populations
Hippo’s pneumococcal indicators cover two main patient groups — adults aged 65+ and at-risk patients under 65.
Cohort | Eligibility | Vaccination Type |
HIPPOPNEU001A | Patients aged 65 and over (on or after their 65th birthday) | Single pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) |
HIPPOPNEU001B | Patients aged 2–64 years with a qualifying clinical risk factor | PPV23 (risk-based) |
✅ In short: patients aged 65+ and those aged 2–64 with risk factors should be recalled for PPV23 vaccination.
🩺 The Indicators
👵 HIPPOPNEU001A — Pneumococcal Vaccination (Aged 65+)
Measures:
% of patients aged 65 or over who have received a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) at any time since turning 65.
Counts as complete if:
PPV23 vaccine recorded on or after the patient’s 65th birthday.
Exclusions:
Contraindication or vaccine declined.
Already received PPV23 after age 65.
⚠️ Common pitfalls:
PPV23 recorded under childhood pneumococcal codes.
Vaccination recorded before age 65.
Decline not coded correctly (e.g. recorded in notes but not structured).
✅ In short: all patients aged 65+ should have a PPV23 vaccination recorded from their 65th birthday onwards, unless contraindicated or declined.
🧬 HIPPOPNEU001B — Pneumococcal Vaccination (Aged 2–64 at Risk)
Measures:
% of patients aged 2–64 years with qualifying risk conditions who have ever received PPV23 vaccination.
Eligible risk groups include:
Chronic respiratory disease (including COPD, asthma with steroid use)
Chronic heart, kidney, liver, or neurological disease
Diabetes mellitus
Immunosuppression (due to disease or treatment)
Asplenia or splenic dysfunction
Cochlear implant or CSF leak
Counts as complete if:
PPV23 vaccine recorded at any time since diagnosis of a qualifying risk condition.
Exclusions:
Vaccine declined or contraindicated.
Incorrect coding of risk condition (e.g. inactive problem list).
⚠️ Common pitfalls:
PPV23 coded without linking to risk condition.
Risk condition recorded after vaccine — ensure diagnosis date is correct.
Duplicate PPV23 records with no valid SNOMED vaccine code.
✅ In short: all at-risk patients aged 2–64 should have a coded PPV23 vaccination at least once in their lifetime.
🧩 Putting It All Together
Indicator | Focus | Who It Applies To | What It Measures | What to Do |
HIPPOPNEU001A | Pneumococcal vaccine (age-based) | Patients aged 65+ | Vaccination after 65th birthday | Record PPV23 or valid decline |
HIPPOPNEU001B | Pneumococcal vaccine (risk-based) | Patients aged 2–64 with risk factors | Vaccination since diagnosis | Record PPV23 or valid decline |
🌟 Why This Matters
Following these indicators helps practices:
Ensure pneumococcal protection for all older and clinically at-risk patients.
Improve vaccine coverage in line with national Green Book guidance.
Support proactive recall across both age and risk-based cohorts.
Reduce hospital admissions and complications from pneumococcal infection.
✅ In short: Hippo’s Pneumococcal Indicators ensure every eligible patient — whether by age or risk — is protected through accurate identification and recall for vaccination.
📚 Sources
UK Health Security Agency — Green Book, Chapter 25: Pneumococcal
NHS Digital GPES / QOF Extract Logic