P725 Patients with Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases are insufficiently protected against vaccine-preventable influenza and pneumococcal infections due to low vaccination rates

Abstract

Abstract Background Patients with Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (IMIDs) treated with immunosuppressive drugs are at an increased risk of infections and a more complicated course of the infection, including vaccine-preventable infections. National and international guidelines have specified vaccination strategies in patients with IMIDs. However, the adherence to these guidelines in clinical practice is uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated the current vaccination status of patients with IMIDs at the outpatient clinic of the Erasmus MC Rotterdam. Methods Between August 2022 and October 2022, a survey was sent out to patients with various IMIDs at the rheumatology, dermatology and gastroenterology outpatient clinics. Only patients on immunosuppressive treatment were included. The survey contained questions on patient demographics, disease characteristics and current vaccination status. Results The survey was sent out to 3,345 patients with IMIDs, of whom 1,094 patients filled in the questionnaire (response rate 32.7%). Mean age was 51 ± 16 years and 40.8% were male (Table 1). Patients were treated by a dermatologist (n=306), gastroenterologist (n=414) and/or rheumatologist (n=527). Overall, 55.1% of patients received a yearly influenza vaccination and 9.2% occasionally (Table 2). Furthermore, 8.7% of patients received the pneumococcal vaccination five-yearly and 1.4% occasionally. Both the influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates were highest in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (64.1%, and 14.7%, respectively). On the contrary, patients with hidradenitis suppurativa had the lowest rates for both the influenza vaccination (32.3%) and pneumococcal vaccination (n=0). Overall, 91.7% of patients (n=1,003) received one or more COVID-19 vaccinations. Conclusion Patients with Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases are insufficiently protected against vaccine-preventable infections due to low vaccination rates. Better implementation strategies of current guidelines on seasonal influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination are required. A high rate of COVID-19 vaccination was observed, possibly indicating the willingness of patients to receive vaccinations. Further research into facilitators and barriers to vaccination in these specific patient populations is required.