medwireNews: EULAR has issued updated recommendations for vaccinations in children and adolescents with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
A taskforce of 20 international experts including rheumatologists, immunologists, and a patient representative, led by Marc Jansen (University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands), developed this guidance based on a systematic review of studies published in 2009–2021.
They say that “[i]nfectious diseases are still a great burden and risk for immunosuppressed children,” and therefore adherence to immunization programs “is essential” for those with rheumatic diseases.
The authors provide guidance on vaccines for seasonal influenza, pneumococcal disease, tetanus, human papilloma virus, varicella zoster, yellow fever, and measles, mumps, and rubella. They note that “[n]o recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines in [paediatric rheumatology patients] are yet included in these recommendations, as studies were still ongoing by the time of the search.”
Jansen and team note that “[t]he target-users for these updated EULAR recommendations are healthcare professionals involved in the management and vaccination of [paediatric rheumatology] patients, including paediatricians, paediatric rheumatologists, general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and primary healthcare professionals involved in the execution of [national immunization programs].”
The recommendations are published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
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Ann Rheum Dis 2022; doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-222574