Onpawee Sangsai, Tatchaporn Ongphichetmetha, Malinee Chunsangchan, Sasitorn Siritho, Jiraporn Jitprapaikulsan
Introduction: Individuals with Idiopathic Inflammatory Central Nervous System Demyelinating Diseases have an elevated risk for infection. Vaccination is key to reducing infection.
Objective: This study aimed to determine vaccination coverage, the adverse effects of vaccination, and general vaccination knowledge in the patients.
Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study in the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Siriraj Hospital, Thailand, was performed using the designed questionnaires.
Results: Of 100 participants, 90% were female, with a mean (SD) age of 46.2 (12.9). Overall, all received compulsory vaccine coverage. For optional vaccines, the coverage was lower-than-expected, with rates of 3%, 4%, and 3% for human papilloma virus, pneumococcal, and zoster vaccine, respectively. Only 28% of participants received the 2021/2022 seasonal influenza vaccine. The only factor associated with the uptake of the influenza vaccination was the participants’ health coverage. By asking questions to evaluate general vaccination knowledge, two questions related to vaccination and immuno-suppressive agents received the highest percentage of ‘not sure’ responses.
Conclusion: Vaccination coverage was lower than expected among Thai CNS-IIDDs patients, both for optional and seasonal influenza vaccines. Vaccination in these groups of patients should be encouraged to prevent potential infections.