Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination coverage in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases receiving immunosuppressive therapy and annual nurse-led education.

Objectives: Vaccination rates among patients with RA or SpA remain suboptimal. This study examined the uptake of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines among patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy and receiving annual nurse-led education. Methods: Patients with RA or SpA who initiated their first biologic therapy between 2015 and 2017 and attended yearly visits with a rheumatologist and a therapeutic patient education (TPE) nurse over 5 years were included. Adherence to pneumococcal and influenza vaccine recommendations and factors associated with vaccine uptake were assessed. Results: A total of 156 patients were analysed: 60 RA and 96 SpA. Overall, 81% (95% CI 74, 87) adhered to the 5-year pneumococcal vaccination recommendations (82% in RA and 80% in SpA). Among patients with RA, a history of major adverse cardiac events or deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism at baseline and the occurrence of myocardial infarction or stent placement during follow-up were associated with non-adherence. Among patients with SpA, those who experienced infections during follow-up were more likely to adhere to the pneumococcal vaccination recommendations. Between 2015 and 2022, influenza vaccination rates increased from 63% to 73% in RA and from 33% to 47% in SpA. However, only 22% of patients were vaccinated annually over 5 years (22% RA, 22% SpA), while 19% never received this vaccine. Older age was associated with higher influenza vaccination uptake in both groups. In SpA, experiencing infections during follow-up was associated with higher influenza vaccination rates. Conclusion: Pneumococcal vaccination coverage was high among patients monitored annually by a TPE nurse. Influenza vaccination coverage improved over time but remained insufficient, particularly among patients with SpA.