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Author Spotlight: Advancements in Impedance Monitoring for Cochlear Implant Surgery
Published on: August 4, 2023
Vaccination rates in cochlear implant patients: a review of paediatric recipients
O Rose1, R Moriarty2, C Brown1
1Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Insights
Vaccination rates for children with cochlear implants in New Zealand were lower than recommended. This study highlights the need for improved immunisation coverage in this vulnerable paediatric population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Immunology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Children with cochlear implants require specific vaccinations.
- New Zealand has national immunisation guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess vaccination coverage in paediatric cochlear implant recipients.
- To determine the incidence of meningitis post-intervention in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of vaccination records.
- Data collected from 2005 to 2019 for 203 children.
Main Results:
- 94.1% received Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine.
- 81.8% received the full pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
- Only 16.9% received the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine; compliance improved with funding.
Conclusions:
- Vaccination rates for paediatric cochlear implant patients fell short of expectations.
- Efforts are underway to enhance immunisation compliance.
- Further research is needed to improve meningitis prevention in this group.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate whether children with cochlear implants received the recommended vaccinations according to New Zealand national immunisation guidelines and to report the incidence of meningitis in this population after intervention.
Method:
A retrospective review of the vaccination coverage of paediatric patients receiving cochlear implants between 2005 and 2019 was performed.
Results:
Data were collected on 203 children. Evidence of immunisation against Haemophilus influenza B was documented in 94.1 per cent of this cohort and 21.2 per cent received the seasonal influenza vaccine. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was fully administered in 81.8 per cent of children; however, only 16.9 per cent of eligible children had received the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. There was marked improvement in compliance to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine once it became fully funded for cochlear implant patients.
Conclusion:
Despite established guidelines, the paediatric vaccination rates were less than expected. Work is in progress to address this.
