Premium
Study of Greek children and youths with cystic fibrosis identifies immunisation gaps and delays
Author(s) -
Maltezou Helena C.,
Doudounakis Stavros,
Lekaditi Maria,
Tanou Kalliopi,
Katerelos Panos,
Theodoridou Maria
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.13663
Subject(s) - medicine , diphtheria , pediatrics , measles , vaccination , conjugate vaccine , hepatitis a , rubella , tetanus , pneumococcal conjugate vaccine , poliomyelitis , hepatitis a vaccine , haemophilus influenzae , immunization , virology , immunology , streptococcus pneumoniae , hepatitis , antigen , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , antibiotics
Aim Data about immunisation rates in cystic fibrosis ( CF ) patients are scarce. We estimated the rates and timeliness of immunisations in CF patients aged 0.55–22 years. Methods We studied 122 subjects at a hospital in Greece in 2014. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data and parents' opinions about immunisations. Results The complete immunisation rates were 92.6% for diphtheria–tetanus–acellular pertussis‐inactivated poliomyelitis‐ Haemophilus influenzae ( DT aP‐ IPV ‐Hib), 96.7% for hepatitis A, 97.4% for hepatitis B, 97.4% for measles–mumps–rubella, 85.1% for the varicella zoster virus, 85.1% for the meningococcus C conjugate, 84.3% for the pneumococcus conjugate and 58.9% for the bacillus Calmette‐Guérin vaccine. Immunisation rates in youths were 64.4% for DT aP‐ IPV , 26.8% for the tetravalent meningococcus conjugate vaccine and 54.1% for the human papilloma virus vaccine. In addition, 30.1% received the 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and 45.6% received annual influenza vaccines. Complete, up‐to‐date immunisation rates fell from 61.4% at 12 months of age to 14.5% at six and 12 years. All vaccines experienced delays. Most parents believed vaccines were necessary to protect their child's health. Conclusion Our study of children with CF found immunisation gaps with no catch‐up immunisations and these need to be administered at follow‐up visits.