Effects of implementing a vaccination tool in the electronic medical record on vaccination coverage of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

The rising incidence of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) requires innovative management strategies, including effective vaccination. We aimed to assess the impact of an electronic medical record (EMR)-integrated vaccination tool on vaccination coverage among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), rheumatological and dermatological conditions.

METHODS

A prospective observational study compared vaccination coverage before (2018) and after (2021) implementing the module. Vaccination data for influenza, pneumococcus, hepatitis B and tetanus, and potential predictors were collected from 1430 IMID patients (44.9% male, median age (interquartile range [IQR]) 54 (40-66) years, 789 with IBD, 604 with rheumatological and 37 with dermatological conditions). Data were analysed using McNemar, chi-square tests and multinominal logistic regression.

RESULTS

Significant increases in pneumococcus (56.6% to 73.1%,

CONCLUSIONS

Increased vaccination coverage was measured after implementing the vaccination tool. The COVID19 pandemic and the 2018 measurement might have increased vaccination awareness. Education of patients and healthcare professionals remains crucial.