[Adherence to the H1N1 vaccination recommendation in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis]
Insights
Few patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) received the H1N1 influenza vaccine, with fear of side effects being the main reason for refusal. Higher vaccination acceptance requires focusing on vaccine safety in future campaigns.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- German Standing Committee for Vaccination (STIKO) recommended H1N1 influenza vaccination for chronic disease patients in September 2009.
- Investigated adherence to H1N1 vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Examined reasons for vaccination refusal among IBD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the adherence rate of IBD patients to the H1N1 influenza vaccination recommendation.
- To identify the primary arguments against H1N1 vaccination in this patient group.
- To evaluate the tolerability of the H1N1 vaccine in vaccinated IBD patients.
Main Methods:
- Explorative multicenter study.
- Adult IBD patients completed a questionnaire on H1N1 vaccination participation, reasons for/against vaccination, and disease parameters.
- Data collected on vaccination status, anti-TNF treatment, and membership in the German Crohn's and Colitis Association.
Main Results:
- Only 16% (226/1389) of IBD patients received the H1N1 vaccination.
- Higher vaccination rates observed in patients also vaccinated against seasonal flu (32%), those on anti-TNF treatment (26%), and members of the German Crohn's and Colitis Association (25%).
- Fear of side effects was the primary reason for refusal (59%), though 77% of vaccinated patients reported good tolerability. High non-adherence to general tetanus (25%) and seasonal flu (66%) vaccination recommendations was also noted.
Conclusions:
- A minority of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients adhered to the H1N1 vaccination recommendation.
- Future vaccination campaigns need to emphasize vaccine safety to improve acceptance among IBD patients.
- Low adherence highlights a need for targeted public health strategies for chronic disease populations.
Background And Objective:
In September 2009, the German "Standing Committee for Vaccination" (STIKO) recommended the H1N1 influenza vaccination to all patients with chronic diseases. We investigated the adherence to this recommendation in patients with the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Special attention was paid to arguments for vaccination refusal.
Methods:
In an explorative multicenter study we asked adult patients to answer a questionnaire about their participation in the H1N1 vaccination campaign, their arguments for and against this vaccination and disease specific parameters.
Results:
Out of 1389 participating patients, 226 (16 %) received the H1N1 vaccination. Among patients who were vaccinated against the seasonal flu as well as patients who were treated with anti-TNF-treatment and members of the German Crohn's and Colitis Association, the participation rates were significantly higher (32 %, 26 %, 25 %, respectively). The main argument against the H1N1 vaccination was fear of side effects (59 %). However, 77 % of all vaccinated patients judged the vaccine as very well tolerated. The non-adherence to general vaccination recommendations against tetanus and seasonal flu was also high (25 % and 66 %, respectively).
Conclusion:
Only a minority of patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis had adhered to the official recommendation concerning vaccination against H1N1. In order to reach higher acceptance, further vaccination campaigns must focus on the safety of the recommended vaccine.
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