Adapting immunisation schedules for children undergoing chemotherapy
María Fernández-Prada1, María Rodríguez-Martínez2, Rebeca García-García2
1Unidad de Vacunas, Servicio de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España.
Enfermedades Infecciosas Y Microbiologia Clinica (English Ed.)
|October 25, 2016
Summary
Post-chemotherapy vaccination schedules for children with cancer show poor adherence. Improving healthcare professional training and utilizing specialized Vaccine Units can enhance pediatric cancer patient immunization rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Children completing cancer chemotherapy require specific vaccination strategies.
- Assessing adherence to recommended immunization schedules post-treatment is crucial for long-term health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the adaptation and adherence rates of post-chemotherapy vaccination schedules in pediatric cancer patients.
- To identify factors influencing vaccination schedule compliance in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study of children (0-14 years) who finished chemotherapy between 2009-2015.
- Review of immunization records from primary care and a hospital's Preventive Medicine department.
- Analysis of vaccine administration data against established pediatric vaccination guidelines.
Main Results:
- Only 9.8% of included children (n=51) adhered to the recommended post-chemotherapy vaccination schedule.
- Commonly administered vaccines included diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis/diphtheria-tetanus, meningococcus C, and seasonal influenza.
- Low uptake was observed for pneumococcal vaccines (21.6% for 7v/13v, 17.6% for 23v) and no hepatitis A vaccination was recorded.
Conclusions:
- Post-chemotherapy immunization rates in pediatric cancer survivors are suboptimal.
- Enhanced professional training and dedicated Vaccine Units are recommended to improve vaccination adherence.
- Systematic follow-up and vaccination strategies are essential for immunocompromised children.
Keywords:
CcancerChemotherapyChildhood cancerCáncerCáncer infantilEnfermedades inmunopreveniblesPosquimioterapiaPost-chemotherapyPrevenciónPreventionQuimioterapiaVaccinationVaccineVaccine-preventable diseasesVacunaVacunaciónMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
669
Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
669
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
349
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
349
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
2.1K
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
2.1K
01:30Cancer Vaccines
1.2K
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
1.2K
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
308
In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
308
01:29Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
1.0K
Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
1.0K