Vaccination Rates in Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases and Immunomodulatory Systemic Therapies-Vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2, Influenza Virus or Varicella Zoster Virus.

INTRODUCTION

The national guidelines and the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Germany support preventive vaccinations for patients under immunomodulatory treatments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of data from patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases from December 2021 to December 2022 with a focus on preventive vaccinations against influenza virus, varicella zoster virus, or SARS-CoV-2.

RESULTS

Patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases were referred to our university outpatient's clinic for recommendations of systemic therapy. Vaccinations against influenza virus, varicella zoster virus, or SARS-CoV-2 were documented in 7365 analyzed patient files. A total of 79.7% were completely vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, 49.7% patients were vaccinated against the influenza virus, and only 9.2% were completely vaccinated against varicella zoster virus.

DISCUSSION

In our patients who came for counselling before or during systemic treatment, vaccination rates against SARS-CoV-2, varicella zoster virus, or influenza virus were low. Patients age 60 and above had higher rates than the average German population of the same age, but still no satisfying protection.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest informing patients about preventive vaccination before and during systemic immunomodulatory treatments and emphasize the need for active communication in this vulnerable patient group.