Audit on the uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

摘要

According to the Department of Health guidelines in the UK, patients who are immunosuppressed should be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal infection. There are now convincing data regarding the efficacy of vaccination and use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is evidence from other countries that the uptake of vaccination is suboptimal, especially in those aged <65 years.6 We undertook a study in patients attending our clinics to establish (1) vaccination uptake in our patients who are immunosuppressed, and (2) the reasons if patients had not received the influenza or pneumococcal (pneumovax) vaccination.