P694 COVID-19 vaccination rate and willingness of an additional dose among inflammatory bowel disease patients receiving biologic therapy.
Ramos Lopez, L.(1);Carrillo-Palau, M.(1);Alonso-Abreu , I.(1);Reygosa, C.(1);Hernández-Buylla, N.(1);Amaral , C.(1);Hernández, A.(1);Benítez-Zafra, F.(1);Pérez-González, F.(1);Quintana-Díaz, H.(1);Hernández-Guerra, M.(1);
(1)Hospital Universitario De Canarias, Department of Gastroenterology, Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain;
Background
Vaccination against COVID19 prevents its severe forms and associated mortality and offers a promising action to control this pandemic. In Spain, by October 2021, 87.9% of the target population, including IBD patients had received the complete vaccination regimen. In September 2021, an additional dose of vaccine was approved in patients with immunosuppression including IBD patients on biologic agents. We evaluated the vaccination rate and additional dose willingness in this group of-at risk patients.
Methods
A single-center, cross-sectional study was performed among IBD patients on biologic agents and elegibles for an additional dose of COVID19 vaccine between 19th October and 12th November 2021. Patients were identified by the list provided by the Pharmacy service. IBD clinical characteristics and type of vaccine and date of administration were checked in medical records. Acceptance and adverse effects of vaccination were evaluated after telephone or face-to-face survey in these IBD patients.
Results
Out of a total of 344 patients, 269 patients (46.1% male; mean age 47±16 years; crohn´s disease n=198/ ulcerative colitis n=66/ indeterminate colitis n=5) received at least one vaccine dose and were included. The patients were on Infliximab (40.9%), Ustekinumab (29.7%), Adalimumab (20%), and Vedolizumab (8.9%). Co-treatment with immunosuppressors was used in 73.2% of patients. Only 15 (5.6%) patients refused the COVID19 vaccine: 26.7% for fear of vaccine`s adverse effects, 33.3% for doubts about a “new-design” vaccine and 40% for conviction (COVID19 pandemic denial). 46.7% of the cases would not change their opinion, but 33.3% would re-consider after discussing with their doctor and/or receiving information on the adverse effects of the vaccine. Previous to the additional dose, COVID19 vaccination was present in 94.4% of patients (n=254) (complete regimen using Pfizer 63%,Astra-Zeneca 15.4%, Moderna 12.2% and Janssen in 9.4% of patients, respectively). 42.7% of patients personally requested the appointment for initial dose of vaccination and 59.1% contacted the IBD Unit to discuss the decision to be vaccinated. Adverse effects occurred in 53.9% of the cases after the standard vaccination regimen, mainly pain in the arm (40%). Up to 94.1% of the patients agreed for an additional dose and 57.2% had already received the additional dose at the time of the assessment.
Conclusion
IBD patients on biological agents and at high-risk for COVID19 accept the vaccine as well as an additional dose if recommended. Physicians in charge of IBD units should provide information and confidence in the use of the vaccine in these IBD patients. Remains to be studied the impact of the additional dose of vaccine in these patients.