A single dedicated vaccination visit improves vaccination coverage of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Patients treated with biologics for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of severe infections. Real-life vaccination coverage in this population remains low despite international vaccination guidelines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a dedicated vaccination visit on vaccination coverage.

A dedicated vaccination visit was offered to all patients admitted for an infusion of a biologic in a tertiary IBD center during a 4-week period. At baseline, vaccination status was collected. Patients received specific information on recommended vaccinations. Perceived utility of both vaccination and the dedicated visit were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). Vaccination coverage was reassessed 6 months later by phone call.

Among the 207 patients analyzed (1 patient declined), rates of vaccination at baseline and 6 months later against diphtheria were 52.7% and 68.6% (p < 0.001), tetanus 55.1% and 70% (p < 0.001), poliomyelitis 51.7% and 68.6% (p < 0.001), pertussis 33.3% and 51.2% (p < 0.001), hepatitis B virus (HBV) 61.4% and 66.7% (p < 0.01), pneumococcus 15.5% and 42.0% (p < 0.001), influenza 29.5% and 36.2% (p < 0.01), and meningococcus C 11.6% and 13.0% (p = 0.083), respectively. A quarter of the patients declined at least one recommended vaccination after the visit. The main reason for this refusal was distrust toward one or more vaccines.

A single visit dedicated to vaccination significantly increases rates of vaccination in patients with IBD treated with biologics.