Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients at Higher Risk of Vaccine-Preventable Infections

Strategic Insights -

Inflammatory bowel disease patients are at a heightened risk for vaccine-preventable infections due to underlying immune dysregulation and long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Despite published guidelines affirming vaccine safety, real-world coverage remains suboptimal. A recent study conducted in Russia highlights the knowledge gaps and limited guideline awareness among pediatric gastroenterologists that contribute to suboptimal vaccination of pediatric IBD patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • Children with IBD are at a heightened risk for vaccine-preventable infections due to underlying immune dysregulation and long-term immunosuppressive therapy.
  • Despite published guidelines affirming vaccine safety, real-world coverage remains suboptimal.
  • A cross-sectional survey of 51 pediatric gastroenterologists in Russia found that 41% agreed that vaccines do not provoke IBD flares, while 17.6% considered live vaccines acceptable during immunosuppressive remission.
  • Nearly one-third (32%) of respondents did not personally oversee immunization, and 18% occasionally discouraged vaccination during therapy.
  • The certificate audit revealed a full schedule completion rate of 66.3% for measles-mumps-rubella and 74.2% for hepatitis B, contrasting with parental reports of 82.3% complete coverage.
  • Targeted educational initiatives, clearer shared-care pathways, and routine certificate audits are needed to close the coverage gap and reduce infection-related morbidity.

Statistics:

  • 51 pediatric gastroenterologists participated in the anonymous online survey.
  • 41% of respondents agreed that vaccines do not provoke IBD flares.
  • 17.6% of respondents considered live vaccines acceptable during immunosuppressive remission.
  • 32% of respondents did not personally oversee immunization.
  • 18% of respondents occasionally discouraged vaccination during therapy.
  • The full schedule completion rate for:

+ Measles-mumps-rubella: 66.3%

+ Hepatitis B: 74.2%

  • Parental reports of full coverage: 82.3%

Sources:

  • Attitudes Among Pediatric Gastroenterologists Toward Vaccination Based on an Anonymous Online Survey, Gastrointestinal Disorders, 2025, 7(3):54, MDPI AG, https://doi.org/10.3390/gidisord7030054
  • NewsRx LLC, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University Researchers Provide New Data on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Attitudes Among Pediatric Gastroenterologists Toward Vaccination Based on an Anonymous Online Survey), Vaccine Weekly, October 15, 2025, p 6937