Vaccination coverage in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis followed at a paediatric tertiary care centre

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the vaccination coverage rate of patients with JIA followed at a paediatric tertiary care centre and to determine the coverage rate for individual vaccines required as per the Quebec Immunization Protocol.Methods: Consecutive JIA patients coming for their scheduled visit were included if they were between 2 and 18 years of age and if they had an available written immunization record. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the proportion of children with complete vaccination status according to the Quebec Immunization Protocol at 2.5, 10.5 years and at their last clinic visit.Results: A total of 200 patients were included. Complete vaccination according to schedule was identified in only 52% of patients at 2.5 years, 68% at 10.5 years and 61% at their last clinic visit. The vaccination coverage rate for individual vaccines was good overall with the exception of low measles, mumps and rubella vaccine coverage at 2.5 years (58%).Conclusion: Despite overall good vaccination coverage rate for individual vaccines, only 61% of our cohort had a complete vaccination status at their last clinic visit. Measures to optimize vaccination coverage, such as catch-up vaccination, should be implemented when possible. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved.