Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 2025
A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
Vaccination in Pediatric Patients with Sickle-Cell Disease: Uptake Report and Mini-Review
Daniel Jarovsky1,2, Phillipe Romanzini Bastos2, Samantha Faria de Matos1
1Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo 01221-010, Brazil.
Insights
Pediatric patients with sickle-cell disease (SCD) in Brazil show concerningly low vaccination rates for crucial vaccines, especially those targeting encapsulated bacteria. This highlights a need to reassess prevention strategies for this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Brazil has a high incidence of sickle-cell disease (SCD) in the Americas.
- Vaccine-preventable infections pose severe risks to children with SCD.
- Vaccination uptake in this pediatric group was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the vaccination status of children under 18 with SCD in Brazil.
- To compare vaccination coverage against national recommendations among different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of vaccination cards from children with SCD.
- Classification of vaccination status as 'Adequate', 'Delayed', or 'Missing'.
- Comparison of vaccination rates across age cohorts.
Main Results:
- Routine vaccine coverage exceeded 95% for primary series.
- Significant delays and missed doses were observed for vaccines recommended for SCD patients, particularly against encapsulated bacteria (e.g., PPSV23, Hib, menC).
- Influenza vaccination rate averaged 69.5%, higher in younger children.
Conclusions:
- Children with SCD in Brazil exhibit alarming under-vaccination rates for recommended vaccines.
- Current basic prevention strategies require reassessment for this specific pediatric population.
- Targeted interventions are needed to improve vaccine adherence in children with SCD.
Background:
Brazil has one of the highest numbers of births with sickle-cell disease (SCD) in the Americas. Despite the risk of severe illnesses and death due to both vaccine-preventable infections, vaccination uptake in pediatric patients with SCD is unknown.
Material And Methods:
Children under 18 years with SCD presenting to routine medical consultations had their vaccination status evaluated according to the national recommendations. Data obtained were classified as 'Adequate', 'Delayed' or 'Missing' vaccination and compared among age groups.
Results:
From 117 children screened, 100 had their vaccination card available. Vaccination coverage of routine vaccines was above 95% for all primary series and both age groups, with varied rates of delays and low missing doses. Among SCD extended vaccination, the most frequently delayed and missed vaccines were those specifically recommended to individuals with SCD as per national guidelines-and particularly those against encapsulated bacteria. Significant and varied rates of missing doses occurred in primary series and booster doses for PPSV23, Hib, menC, hepatitis A and varicella. The average influenza vaccination rate was 69.5%, with higher rates among younger children.
Conclusions:
Children with SCD have alarming under-vaccination rates. Basic prevention strategies in Brazil should be reassessed in this specific population.
More Related Videos
05:23Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
08:23Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
Published on: November 5, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:51Vaccinations
01:22Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation