TBA (22W171)
Vaccination status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Author(s)
Dr. Bearach Reynolds, Dr. Juliette Sheridan, Prof. Glen Doherty, Dr. Garret Cullen
Department(s)/Institutions
St. Vincent's University Hospital, Gastroentertology Department
Introduction
The use of immunosuppressive therapy including immunomodulators, biologic therapy and small molecules has transformed the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, due to the immunosuppression caused by such agents, caution must be taken to identify and/or prevent opportunistic infections in this cohort. Recent guidelines published by the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) suggests that serological screening for viral infections should be carried out prior to commencement on immunosuppressive therapies. Vaccine administration in 1) non-immune and 2) to prevent opportunistic infections is strongly recommended.
Aims/Background
To determine vaccination status in a cohort of patients with IBD with a view to increasing vaccine availability and uptake in this cohort
Method
Data were collected by self-response survey in an IBD clinic in St. Vincent’s University Hospital. 136 surveys were collected. Data were analysed using Sphinx.
Results
136 surveys were collected. The age range of participants was 17 to 81 with a preponderance of male participants (57%). 65.44% of respondents were on immunosuppressive therapy. 91.2%, 28,7% and 9.6% of all responders confirmed vaccination against COVID-19, meningococcus and pneumococcus respectively (as is recommended by ECCO). 48.31% of patients on immunosuppressive therapy reported having received the influenza vaccine.
Conclusions
This study highlights the need for increasing vaccine uptake in patients with IBD as per ECCO guidelines. Patient awareness of vaccination status was extremely low, this is an area where both patient and doctor education needs to be improved in order to raise awareness re the importance of prevention of vaccines in prevention of opportunistic infections.
