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eMediNexus 29 August 2019
A new study published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine evaluated influenza and pneumococcal vaccine coverage among patients receiving biological therapy with the goal to identify factors associated with vaccine uptake within this population.This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted inhospitalized adults with an auto-immune/inflammatory disease who were treated with biological therapy. Vaccine uptake was evidenced from patients medical records or from their pharmacists records. Patients and physicians completed questionnaires about attitudes and knowledge regarding vaccinations.Overall, 172 patients completed the questionnaire and 72 physicians responded. The results showed that underlying inflammatory diseases were rheumatisms (46%), bowel diseases (31%) and skin diseases (23%). Vaccine uptake was 28% for influenza; 48% for pneumococcus;while 22% received both vaccines. Main factors associated to positive uptake were receiving a prescription from a physician, as well as having a good knowledge about vaccines. Meanwhile, factors limiting vaccination were a negative attitude toward vaccines and having inflammatory bowel diseases.Hence, it was concluded that vaccine coverage for influenza and pneumococcal infections are low in the patients under biologics for auto-immune/inflammatory disease. It was stated that health policies should reinforce information and promotion of these vaccines in this population, as well as the prescribers.
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