P109 Influenza vaccine uptake

Abstract

Abstract Background Patients on immunosuppressive csDMARDs and bDMARDs for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions are more susceptible to infection. Viral infection in these patients is associated with an increased likelihood of severe outcomes such as bacterial pneumonia, hospitalisation and death. The influenza vaccine is a simple and effective measure to protect patients from seasonal flu. Traditionally uptake has been patchy in rheumatology patients for unclear reasons. Methods Aim: To assess the uptake of the influenza vaccine amongst at risk patients in a secondary care rheumatology department and investigate the factors that may affect uptake. Methodology: This is a cross sectional retrospective study with a sample size of 200. Patients were invited to complete a paper survey when they attended their outpatient rheumatology clinic in May/June 2019 about the previous winter 2018/19 influenza season. Chi square tests were used to determine whether age, educational level and ethnicity had an impact on vaccine uptake. Results 5% of the population were aged between 18 - 30, 21% between 31 - 50, 48% between 51 - 70, 25% between 71-90 and 1% were above 90. 56% attained secondary school level education, 13% completed college/A levels,18% had completed university,12% completed vocational education and only 1% attained primary school level alone. Most of the patients were Caucasian (93%) with only a small percentage of different ethnic groups represented in the sample. 62% of the patients were on DMARD treatment. Of those who were on DMARD treatment, 78% were vaccinated against influenza in the last season. 55% of those not on DMARD treatments were vaccinated. Chi square tests showed a significant relationship between age and vaccine uptake with older patients more likely to have the vaccine(p < 0.001). The tests also showed that higher education levels were associated with higher vaccine uptake(p < 0.02). Those on DMARDs were also significantly more likely to be vaccinated than those not on DMARDs (p < 0.001). The sample sizes in the different ethnic groups weren’t big enough to assess the effect of ethnicity on uptake. The top three reasons given by patients for not having the vaccine were that they didn’t feel it was necessary, worrying that they’d get sick afterwards and not finding the time to have it done. Conclusion Age, education level and being on DMARD treatment had an impact on influenza vaccine uptake. Further patient education on the importance and benefits of the influenza vaccine needs to be provided to patients to improve vaccination rates in at risk individuals. Influenza vaccine should be discussed with all patients at routine follow up visits, appropriate educational provided and general practitioners alerted to the need to place immunosuppressed rheumatology patients on call up schemes for influenza vaccination Disclosures B. Noureldin None. N. Erb None.