Influenza vaccine uptake in juvenile idiopathic arthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-centre cross-sectional study by PRES vaccination working party
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Children with rheumatic diseases are at risk for contracting severe influenza and COVID-19 and are thus targeted for these vaccination. OBJECTIVES: To assess the influenza (flu) vaccination rate in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), investigate families' attitudes towards the influenza vaccine, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on flu vaccine uptake. METHODS: This multi-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted across 9 countries. JIA caregivers completed an anonymous questionnaire about their children's influenza vaccination, including the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons, including knowledge, and perceptions regarding influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Based on responses from 655 JIA caregivers, 152 children (23.2%) received influenza vaccinations in the 2020-2021 season, representing a significant rise from 18.6% in the previous season (p < 0.01). The likelihood of vaccination was higher among employed/self-employed caregivers compared to unemployed (28.2% and 29.9% vs. 13.9%), and those with tertiary education versus elementary (28% vs. 9.7%), both p < 0.01. Concerns of children's vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 and severe COVID-19 disease due to JIA were prevalent (51.3% and 85.3% respectively), with 51.3% supporting COVID-19 vaccination. Caregivers who previously vaccinated their children for influenza showed a greater inclination towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (73.4% and 79.5%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Families of children with JIA reported an increasing flu vaccine uptake and a high intention for COVID-19 vaccine administration. Previous vaccination behavior was shown as a significant predictor of future behaviour. Strengthening health education may address fears and lead to better vaccine coverage against both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in children with JIA and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Source: Pediatric Rheumatology
Authors: Despoina Maritsi, Noa Alpert, Masa Bizjak, Amit Ziv, Barbora Balaziova, Mehmet Yildiz, Alenka Gagro, Mario Sestan, Aygul Khabirova, Betul Sozeri, Sengul Caglayan, Marija Jelusic, Violetta Opoka-Winiarska, Mikhail Kostik, Claudia Bracaglia, Francesca Minoia, Tomas Dallos, Ozgur Kasapcopur, Natasa Toplak, Yosef Uziel, Panagiota Tsagkli, Merav Heshin-Bekenstein
Institutions: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Meir Medical Center, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Tel Aviv University, Národný ústav detských chorôb, Comenius University Bratislava, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul University, Children's Hospital Zagreb, University of Zagreb, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Ümraniye Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Medical University of Lublin, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W4415207485