Influenza vaccination in children with high-risk chronic diseases

Objectives: To assess the seasonal Influenza vaccination coverage level for the 2020-2021 season (SARS-CoV-2 pandemic) in a population of CF patients and asthma compared to routine vaccination coverage. Method: The study included CF and asthma patients over six months of age, seen in a specialized CF and Asthma clinic in Northern Greece. The families were asked to fill in a questionnaire and send their vaccination charts status by e-mails to assess mandatory and recommended vaccine data. Telephone interviews were performed as well to assess possible factors associated with nonadherence with vaccination. Results: The study included 63 patients with CF (54% boys), mean age 14.29 years, and 41 patients with asthma (56.1% boys), mean age 12.34 years. Coverage for seasonal flu vaccination was 93,75% for CF and 58,54% for asthma patients  respectively (p Conclusion: Despite the physicians’ vaccination counseling, there was a significant difference in the seasonal flu vaccine coverage between CF and asthma patients. Influenza vaccination coverage depends mainly on the type of chronic disease. Further studies are needed to understand motivators and barriers to vaccination of children with chronic respiratory disease.