Vaccines - beliefs and concerns: the voice of patients with inflammatory immunomediated diseases

Autores da FMUP

• Cândida Manuela Ferreira Abreu

  Autor

• António Carlos Megre Eugénio Sarmento

  Autor

• Fernando José Magro Dias

  Autor

Participantes de fora da FMUP

• Martins, A
• Branco, E
• Rocha, R

Unidades de investigação

• Biomedicina

• Laboratório Associado RISE- Rede de Investigação em Saúde

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

• Medicina

• RISE-Health

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

Abstract

BackgroundVaccination is a key issue in patients with immunomodulated inflammatory diseases on immune-mediated therapy. Still, vaccination rates in these patients are low. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and fears of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) regarding vaccines, with the ultimate goal of increasing vaccination rates through the definition and implementation of more effective communication strategies with the patient. MethodsThis study was conducted in a Portuguese hospital, between January 2019-December 2020, and included adult patients with an IMID. A questionnaire was developed and applied to evaluate knowledge and fears regarding vaccines. ResultsFrom the 275 included patients, more than 90% answered correctly to all questions on general knowledge, with an exception for the question related to protection from severe disease, without differences between age groups or education levels, except for the question about vaccine contraindications (P = 0.017). Regarding vaccines in immunocompromised hosts, the proportion of correct answers was lower and significantly different between education levels (P = 0.00-0.042),. More than 50% of the participants showed moderate to very high concern about several aspects of vaccines, with differences between age groups (P = 0.018). ConclusionOur patients have general knowledge of vaccines but regarding vaccines in immunocompromised patients knowledge is lower and dependent on the education level. In addition, age influences the pattern of concerns related to vaccines. The information gathered in this study shall be considered to identify potential local interventions targeted to improve vaccination.

Keywords

• biological drugs; immunocompromised patients; inflammatory autoimmune diseases; vaccine acceptance; vaccine coverage