The impact of a pneumococcal vaccination on disease activity in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease: a 2-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND

Infectious diseases are known triggers for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exacerbations. Although vaccines can prevent many such infections, hesitancy persists among pediatric IBD patients and their caregivers due to concerns about vaccine-induced disease flare-ups. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on disease activity in children and adolescents with IBD over a 24-month period post-vaccination.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND

METHODS

This prospective, multicenter cohort study included IBD patients aged 4-18 years. Participants were assigned to a vaccinated group (single PCV13 dose) or an unvaccinated control group. Disease activity was monitored using PUCAI/PCDAI scores, and exacerbation rates were recorded at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

RESULTS

A total of 279 patients (52.3% male; median age, 167 months) were enrolled, of whom 93 (33.3%) received PCV13. The control group showed higher, but not statistically significant, disease activity at any time point (p = 0.06, 0.10, 0.64, 0.36) and exacerbation rates (p = 0.47, 0.17, 0.82, 0.75).

CONCLUSION

A single dose of PCV13 does not increase disease activity in pediatric IBD patients during the 24 months following vaccination.