Uptake of influenza vaccine in ulcerative colitis.

Background The incidence of vaccine-preventable-diseaseis increasing. Current practice guidelines recommend annual influenza vaccinationfor all inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Study Using the Business Objectsdatabase of Clalit Health Services in the Tel Aviv district we identified all patients over 18 years-old with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) on 31.12.05. This cohort was followed until 31.12.12. Subjects over age 50 without IBD who are also targeted for influenza vaccinationserved as controls. The uptake of annual influenza vaccinationwas recorded. Results 470 UC patients were included (241 (51.3%) males, age 50.4 ± 18.4 years, disease duration 158.9 ± 86.5 months), and 2960 controls. During the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 the uptake of influenza vaccinationwas 101 (21.5%), 122 (26.0%), 147 (31.3%), 181 (38.5%), 177 (37.7%), 170 (36.2%) and 178 (37.9%) amongst UC patients, and 993 (33.5%), 1360 (45.9%), 1524 (51.5%), 1611 (54.4%), 1446 (48.9%), 1576 (53.2%) and 1557 (52.6%) amongst controls (p < 0.0001 for every year). Independent predictors of vaccination included age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03–1.06; p < 0.001) and cardiovascular risk (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.31–2.49; p < 0.01). Conclusions Although uptake influenza vaccinationis consistently lower in UC compared to controls, an upward trend was observed over the study period. Public health initiatives should target this high-risk population to promote immunization.