Evaluation of timing of first vaccination in children after hematopoietic allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Purpose: Protective immunity to vaccine preventable infectious diseases might be lost over time following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Limited data are available on the appropriate follow-up of vaccination schedules in pediatric HSCT patients. This study aims to ascertain whether the guidelines for vaccination recommended in our hospital are followed and to which extent of conformity they are used.

Methods: A 5-year survey, including all pediatric allogeneic HSCT patients, transplanted at the Ghent University hospital, Belgium. Data were collected from the patient's electronic (nursing and medical) charts.

Results: Data on vaccination schedules of 28 patients (54.9%) eligible for the recommended vaccinations were collected. Eleven patients (11/28; 39.3%) were vaccinated timely. In 14 out of 17 patients (82.4%) vaccination was postponed for medical reasons, while vaccination was postponed without medical reason in 17.6% (3/17). Vaccination data could not be retrieved in 43.1 (22/51) of patients. Vaccination was declined by the parents in one patient (2.0%).

Conclusion: There is high level of agreement between the hospital guideline and the vaccination of pediatric HSCT patients. Health-care providers play a crucial role in effectively appropriate follow-up of vaccination schedules.