Crohns Colitis 360. 2020 Jul;2(3):otaa056. doi: 10.1093/crocol/otaa056. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Kathleen J Holland ¹, Tracey A Wilkinson ², Erin Phipps ³, James E Slaven ⁴, William E Bennett Jr ⁵

Author information

• ¹Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Fellow, Indiana University School of Medicine, 705 Riley Hospital Drive ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-944-3774.
• ²Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Children's Health Services Research, 410 W. 10 Street, Suite 2000, Indianapolis, IN 46220, 317-278-0552.
• ³Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Developmental Pediatrics and Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, 705 Riley Hospital Drive ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-944-3774.
• ⁴Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, 410 W. Tenth St. Suite 3000, Indianapolis, IN 46236.
• ⁵Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and Adolescent Comparative Effectiveness Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 705 Riley Hospital Drive ROC 4210, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-944-3774.

Abstract

Background: Many children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are taking immunosuppressant medications that place them at risk for vaccine preventable diseases. Despite national guidelines, children with IBD have low vaccination rates. Adult data suggest that there is concern about the safety of vaccines. There are no current studies addressing perceived safety about vaccinations among families of children with IBD.

Methods: A total of 108 caregivers of children (ages 10-25 years) were surveyed during their outpatient visit, with approximately half having a diagnosis of IBD. The survey consisted of validated questions regarding vaccine safety and opinions. After enrollment, state-wide vaccine registry data was collected. Demographics between the two groups were compared using Ch-square and the Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to analyze Likert scale questions.

Results: The majority of children followed for IBD were Caucasian males, had Crohn's disease (68%) and were immunosuppressed. Results from the survey revealed a concern about vaccine safety (40% vs. 16%, p=0.03) and overall effectiveness (34% vs. 12%, p<0.01) in the IBD group compared to the non-IBD. Furthermore, more IBD families were worried that vaccines would worsen their child's symptoms (36% vs. 10%, p=<0.01). The majority of children were missing the flu and/or HPV vaccine. Finally, 96% of the children on a biologic for their IBD were missing the PPSV23 booster.

Conclusions: Caregivers of children with IBD are more concerned about vaccine safety and effectiveness than those with non-IBD diagnosis. Despite being on immunosuppressant medications, many patients were missing recommended vaccines.