engleski

Vaccination status in CF patients

Bacterial and viral infections, especially in early life, can trigger pulmonary disease progression in CF patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the vaccination status in Croatian CF patients. Data were collected from 30 CF patients (1/3 of the recognized CF population: 12 boys and 28 girls, aged 6mo to 25yr, median age: 6yr ; genotype: 25 dF508/dF508, 5 heterozygots dF508). Croatia’ s national immunization program covers BCG, DTP, Polio and MMR in the first 18mo of life. Hep B vaccination is given the age of 12yr, and HiB vaccination is in the program since 2003. Other available vaccines are against Hep A, varicella, pneumococcus and Influenza. All CF patients (100%) had vaccines following the national program, but they were behind the schedule for about 4 mo. 40% had HiB vaccination (the vaccine is available for 4 years). Immunization against Hep B is relatively low, because it is given at school age. No child was given Hep A vaccine. Only one patient was vaccinated against varicella and one against penumococcus. 70-86% of children had influenza immunization, 21 of them both in 2002 & 2003. Analyzing their medical charts 2 years prior to influenza immunization and in the last 2 years, a 25% decline in the incidence of respiratory infection was observed during the winter period (November-March). Conclusion: The coverage of the national immunization program is100%, although vaccination is often delayed due to frequent hospitalization. However, immunization strategies should be modified for the CF population, especially for hepatitis. Hep B should be given in infancy and Hep A vaccination should also be considered, because of frequent (evident or subclinical) liver disease. Therefore, fatal hepatitis is more likely to occur. In CF patients vaccinated against influenza, a significant decrease in respiratory exacerbations has been observed during winter in comparison to the pre-vaccination stage.

Vaccination; cystic fibrosis

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