Patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases have a higher risk of acquiring infections compared to the general population due to both immunosuppressive therapy and the nature of autoimmune conditions themselves. This risk is ameliorated for certain conditions with vaccination, however previous reports suggest that there are low vaccination rates amongst patients with autoimmune diseases [1, 2].
We determined the vaccination rates of patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) routinely attending the Concord Hospital Rheumatology outpatient clinics between February and April 2023. Patients were asked their vaccination status at the end of the consult using a questionnaire, and all attempts were made to corroborate this with the Medicare application. 144 patients were recruited for the audit, with a mean age of 63.53, 71.5% were women. 99.3% of patients were vaccinated against COVID 19, 59% had their last COVID vaccination within the last year. 77% had the Fluvax in 2022, but only 18% were vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae. 10% were vaccinated against shingles, 40% were unsure of their shingles vaccination status. 39% were vaccinated against Hepatitis B, and 35.4% against DTP.
The vaccination rates of patients with AIRD against COVID and the flu were high compared to baseline population numbers in 2021 [3], which may reflect their availability Australian government’s immunisation schedule; the fluvax is free for those over 65. Unfortunately, despite EULAR recommendations that individuals with AIRDs should strongly consider pneumococcal vaccination only 18% of our cohort was vaccinated. This audit indicates that there is a gap in patient education regarding vaccination – pneumococcal vaccination should be encouraged in immunocompromised patients.