Epidemiology of Airmen Treated with Immunosuppressive Drugs and Vaccination Concerns

Immunosuppressive treatments are increasingly prescribed in a variety of diseases. This issue concerns airmen.

To assess the problem, we conducted an observational retrospective study in the aircrew population examined in 2014 at the Aeromedical Center of Percy Military Hospital.

Airmen treated with immunosuppressive drugs accounted for 0.5% of the total population (N = 13,326). Rheumatic and digestive diseases were the main etiologies, respectively 43% and 35% of cases. One-third of airmen took such medications during at least 3 yr and three-quarters of airmen were declared fit to fly, with some limitations.

Due to their working conditions, airmen are exposed to a real infectious risk, which is, however, difficult to evaluate. The risk is obviously increased by immunosuppressive drugs and may affect flight safety. Aeromedical evaluation should consider this problem. Vaccination plays a central role in the prevention of infectious risk. Based on French recommendations, we propose a vaccination schedule for these particular patients.Guiu G, Monin J, Hamm-Hornez A-P, Manen O, Perrier E. Epidemiology of airmen treated with immunosuppressive drugs and vaccination concerns. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(4):377-382.