Lower influenza vaccination coverage in children with chronic conditions

More information on coverage of mandatory and highly recommended vaccines would help to optimise care for patients at risk. The presented study showed that children with asthma had lower influenza vaccination rates than children with cystic fibrosis, while being at higher risk for severe influenza-associated complications. This difference was seen despite physicians’ vaccination counselling.

Recent literature has reported on poor influenza vaccination rates in children with chronic diseases. However, little is known about specific data for children with asthma and cystic fibrosis. Therefore, the current study assessed the seasonal influenza vaccination coverage level for the 2020–2021 season compared with the routine vaccination coverage [1].

Paediatric patients older than 6 months diagnosed with asthma or cystic fibrosis were included in the study that took place in a respiratory clinic in Greece. Parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire and to share the vaccination status. Telephone interviews were held to gather information on withdrawal of vaccination. The study was performed from October to December 2020.

Participants were children with cystic fibrosis (n=63) and asthma (n=41) with a mean age of 14.3 and 12.3 years, respectively. Slightly more boys (54%) than girls were included. The influenza vaccination rate for cystic fibrosis was 94% compared with 59% for asthma (P<0.05). The vaccination rates for routine vaccines were higher: 100% of asthma patients were vaccinated against hepatitis B, DTPCaHi, conjugate pneumococcal, and measles, mumps, and rubella. Of cystic fibrosis patients, 73% were vaccinated with the polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine. Parents reported to have been informed by clinicians about the vaccination recommendations, including the influenza vaccine, in 96% of cystic fibrosis and 83% of asthma patients.

In short, despite physicians’ vaccination counselling, a significant difference was found in the seasonal influenza vaccine coverage between cystic fibrosis and asthma patients. More research is needed to understand motivators and barriers to vaccinate children with chronic respiratory disease.

1. Hatziagorou E, et al. Influenza vaccination in children with high-risk chronic diseases. Abstract 3146. ERS 2021, 5–8 September.

 

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Posted on 9 November 2021