Delicou Sophia, Manganas Konstantinos, Xydaki Aikaterini, Evliati Loukia, Myrilla Ioanna, Rubatis Leonidas, Kostaridou Stavroula
Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, Hippokratio General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Unit, Hippokratio General Hospital, 114 Vas.Sofias, Athens 11527, Greece.
Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother. 2024 Sep 17;12:25151355241278869. doi: 10.1177/25151355241278869. eCollection 2024.
Hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, are genetic disorders that affect hemoglobin structure or production, leading to various health complications, including an increased risk of infections. Vaccinations play a crucial role in managing these conditions by providing essential protection against preventable diseases. Ensuring timely and appropriate immunizations is vital for reducing infection-related morbidity and improving the overall health and quality of life for affected individuals.
Our objective was to assess vaccination coverage, as well as knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward vaccination in Greek patients with hemoglobinopathies.
A nationwide survey of hemoglobinopathy patients in Greece using a 37-item questionnaire was conducted anonymously via Google Forms. It covered demographics, previous vaccinations, vaccine-preventable infections, beliefs about vaccines, and antibiotic prophylaxis post-splenectomy. The survey was distributed through Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Units and organizations.
Participants were predominantly university-educated married women aged 30-50 years with transfusion-depended thalassemia ( = 149, 60.5%) or sickle cell anemia ( = 52, 21.1%). Reported childhood vaccination rates aligned with Greece's national immunization program. However, adult coverage was suboptimal across all age groups for measles (10%), varicella (27%), zoster (2% for over 50 years old individuals), hepatitis A (13.9% of those with chronic liver disease) and hepatitis B (41%), pneumococcal (81.3%), meningococcal (37%), tetanus (20.3%), and influenza (67.1%) vaccines compared to guidelines. Participants relied predominantly on healthcare providers for vaccine information but perceived limited engagement. Those over age 50 demonstrated lower adult vaccination rates and higher misconceptions compared to younger cohorts.
Addressing educational and access gaps could help protect this vulnerable population. Our findings highlight the need for coordinated efforts to optimize adult immunization for those with hemoglobinopathies.
血红蛋白病，如镰状细胞病和地中海贫血，是影响血红蛋白结构或生成的遗传性疾病，会导致各种健康并发症，包括感染风险增加。疫苗接种通过提供针对可预防疾病的基本保护，在管理这些病症方面发挥着关键作用。确保及时、适当的免疫接种对于降低感染相关发病率以及改善受影响个体的整体健康和生活质量至关重要。
我们的目的是评估希腊血红蛋白病患者的疫苗接种覆盖率，以及对疫苗接种的知识、态度和做法。
通过谷歌表单对希腊血红蛋白病患者进行了一项全国性调查，使用一份包含37个条目的问卷。调查内容包括人口统计学信息、既往疫苗接种情况、疫苗可预防感染、对疫苗的看法以及脾切除术后的抗生素预防。该调查通过地中海贫血和镰状细胞病治疗单位及组织进行分发。
参与者主要是年龄在30 - 50岁、受过大学教育的已婚女性，患有依赖输血的地中海贫血（n = 149，60.5%）或镰状细胞贫血（n = 52，21.1%）。报告的儿童疫苗接种率与希腊国家免疫规划一致。然而，与指南相比，各年龄组成人在麻疹（10%）、水痘（27%）、带状疱疹（50岁以上个体为2%）、甲型肝炎（慢性肝病患者中为13.9%）和乙型肝炎（41%）、肺炎球菌（81.3%）、脑膜炎球菌（37%）、破伤风（20.3%）以及流感（67.1%）疫苗接种方面的覆盖率均未达到最佳水平。参与者主要依赖医疗保健提供者获取疫苗信息，但感觉参与度有限。与年轻人群相比，50岁以上人群的成人疫苗接种率较低且误解较多。
解决教育和获取方面的差距有助于保护这一弱势群体。我们的研究结果凸显了为血红蛋白病患者优化成人免疫接种需要协同努力。
