ANALYSIS OF IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE AND INSIGHTS INTO VACCINE ACCEPTANCE IN PARENTS OF CHILDREN AFFECTED WITH CHRONIC DISEASES (FOCUS ON RHEUMATOLOGICAL AND NEPHROLOGICAL PATIENTS)

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with chronic conditions are at increased risk of severe complications following infectious diseases due to their immunocompromised state. The rate of vaccine preventable diseases and its complications has declined significantly with high vaccine coverage among certain populations. Although children with chronic diseases have higher susceptibility for severe course of infection, vaccine hesitancy among their legal representatives is still high. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2022 to September 2023. The study analyses the data from a paper-based survey of 63 parents of chronically ill children. Results: 36 responses from nephrology department and 27 responses from rheumatology department were collected. Majority of the respondents were married female parents at the age between 30-39 and having university degree. Overall, the survey participants predominantly agree with the statements that claim the importance (61.1% and 74.1%), effectiveness (58.3% and 55.5%) and safety of the vaccination (41.7% and 59.3%) among both nephrology and rheumatology departments, respectively. Conclusion: Parents are concerned about safety of vaccines for children with chronic diseases who receive specialized therapy. The vaccine coverage is inadequate, with the higher immunization rate among rheumatological patients compared to nephrological patients. While parents of nephrological patients are more vaccine hesitant.