Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026

An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
Vaccinations in paediatric rheumatology: an update on current developments
Noortje Groot1, Marloes W Heijstek, Nico M Wulffraat
1Department of Pediatrics, Wilhemina Children's Hospital/University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU), PO-box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands, n.groot@erasmusmc.nl.
Insights
Vaccinations are safe and immunogenic for children with rheumatic diseases. Despite potential waning antibody levels, especially with biologicals, booster vaccinations are recommended to ensure adequate protection.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) published vaccination recommendations for children with rheumatic diseases in 2011.
- The evidence base on vaccination safety and immunogenicity in this population has significantly expanded since 2011.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated systematic literature review on the safety and immunogenicity of vaccines in pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases.
- To summarize current evidence and strengthen the existing EULAR recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic literature search, identifying 21 new articles.
- Included 27 articles from the 2011 review for a comprehensive analysis.
Main Results:
- Vaccines are generally safe and immunogenic in children with rheumatic diseases.
- Immunosuppressive drugs like glucocorticosteroids and methotrexate did not detrimentally affect vaccine immunogenicity.
- Biologicals may lead to faster waning of antibody levels, but initial protection is typically adequate.
Conclusions:
- Reduced persistence of immunological memory in children with rheumatic diseases necessitates booster vaccinations.
- The updated evidence supports advocating for vaccinations in patients with rheumatic diseases.
Abstract:
In 2011, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) published recommendations regarding the vaccination of children with rheumatic diseases. These recommendations were based on a systematic literature review published in that same year. Since then, the evidence body on this topic has grown substantially. This review provides an update of the systematic literature study of 2011, summarizing all the available evidence on the safety and immunogenicity of vaccination in paediatric patients with rheumatic diseases. The current search yielded 21 articles, in addition to the 27 articles described in the 2011 review. In general, vaccines are immunogenic and safe in this patient population. The effect of immunosuppressive drugs on the immunogenicity of vaccines was not detrimental for glucocorticosteroids and methotrexate. Biologicals could accelerate a waning of antibody levels over time, although most patients were initially protected adequately. Overall, persistence of immunological memory may be reduced in children with rheumatic diseases, which shows the need for (booster) vaccination. This update of the 2011 systematic literature review strengthens the evidence base for the EULAR recommendations, and it must be concluded that vaccinations in patients with rheumatic diseases should be advocated.
Related Concept Videos
Vaccinations
Vaccines
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management

