This study evaluated the effectiveness of a single-dose quadrivalent flu vaccine in children with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, who face a higher risk of severe flu complications due to immunosuppressive treatments. Researchers monitored 110 children with rheumatic diseases and 10 healthy controls, measuring blood antibody levels before vaccination as well as 1 month and 6 months post-vaccination.

Key Findings:

• Short-Term (1 Month): Children with rheumatic diseases mounted strong antibody responses comparable to healthy controls.
• Long-Term (6 Months): Antibody levels against influenza A (H3N2) dropped significantly lower in children with rheumatic diseases, whereas response to influenza B remained similar.
• Key Factors: Pre-vaccination antibody levels were the main predictor of 6-month immunity. Most immunosuppressive drugs did not impair responses, except Rituximab.

Conclusion: Annual influenza vaccination remains essential for children with rheumatic diseases to sustain protection against waning immunity.

Read more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590136226001397

First Author: Suppapit Usama

Corresponding Authors: Arunee Thitithanyanont, Kobporn Boonnak, Soamarat Vilaiyuk