Varicella-zoster-virus vaccination of immunosuppressed children with inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune hepatitis: A prospective observational study.

Background And Aims: Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) receiving immunosuppressive treatment are at risk for severe varicella zoster virus (VZV)-induced disease. This study evaluated vaccination of susceptible patients with stable disease and documented immunoreactivity without interruption of their current immunosuppression (IS).

Methods: This prospective multicentre observational study used a prevaccination checklist to select patients with low-intensity and high-intensity IS for VZV vaccination.

Vaccination rate and immunity of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune hepatitis in Germany.

Background And Aims: Immunosuppressed patients are at risk of severe infections with vaccination preventable diseases. We evaluated vaccination rate and immunity of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

Methods: Immunization rate of 329 children with IBD (n = 300) and AIH (n = 29) was assessed in seven German centres using vaccination certificates, history of chicken pox and by determining anti-varicella zoster virus (VZV) and anti-measles IgG antibodies.