Racial, Ethnic, and Geographic Disparities in Immunization Rates Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare are well-documented.
• These disparities may extend to vaccine uptake in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Influenza vaccine uptake in IBD patients requires investigation for potential inequities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if racial, ethnic, or geographic disparities exist in influenza vaccine uptake among patients with IBD.
• To assess disparities in pneumococcal, zoster, and hepatitis B vaccine uptake in this population.

Main Methods:

• Multicenter, retrospective cohort study.
• Inclusion of adult patients with IBD from two tertiary referral centers (September 2019 - February 2020).
• Analysis of influenza, pneumococcal, zoster, and hepatitis B vaccine uptake based on race, ethnicity, and geographic location.

Main Results:

• Non-Hispanic White patients and older individuals were more likely to receive the influenza vaccine.
• Black patients and those residing in underserved geographic areas demonstrated lower influenza vaccine uptake.
• Similar racial/ethnic and geographic disparities were observed for pneumococcal, zoster, and hepatitis B vaccines.

Conclusions:

• Significant racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in vaccine uptake exist among IBD patients.
• Patients from medically underserved areas are particularly vulnerable to these inequities.
• Further research is needed to identify patient, provider, and system-level strategies to address these disparities.