Impact of COVID-19 on Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination of Psoriatic Patients in Germany: Results from Vac-Pso

Abstract

Background: Suboptimal influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates have been reported before the COVID-19 pandemics in certain populations at risk for severe infection. The aim of this longitudinal cohort study was to investigate changes in influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates and patient perceptions in patients with psoriasis (PsO) before and during the pandemic. Methods: Data on vaccination, patient and disease characteristics, comorbidity, and patient perceptions were collected with questionnaires before and during the pandemic approximately one year later. Results: Over the whole cohort who participated in the follow-up visit (n = 287; 59.2% male; mean age: 56.3 years), both influenza and pneumococcal lifetime vaccination prevalences increased significantly from 50.5% to 66.2% and from 16.0% to 41.5%, respectively. A total of 88.5% of PsO patients were interested in a COVID-19 vaccination or had already received it. The reasons for and against vaccinations changed significantly before and during the pandemic. Conclusions: Despite a promising increase in the vaccination prevalence in our PsO cohort, it remains important that awareness for vaccinations is encouraged and closely monitored in future research, particularly in populations at risk.

Keywords

• vaccination
• COVID-19
• immune system
• epidemiology