Vaccination Rates in Cochlear Implant Patients: A Review of Paediatric Recipients
Authors List
Rose, O., Manukau Surgery Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
Neeff, M., Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
Introduction: An increased incidence of meningitis has been observed in children with cochlear implants (CI). Pathogens are believed to migrate along the implanted electrode from the middle ear into the inner ear which in turn communicates with CSF spaces. As such, immunisation guidelines have been established to provide protection against the most common causative organisms.
Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate whether children received the recommended vaccinations according to the Immunization guidelines and report the incidence of meningitis. We also compared the uptake rates of immunisation before and after the introduction of publicly funded vaccines.
Methods: A retrospective review was performed with data from the paediatric database of the Northern Cochlear Implant Programme, Auckland, NZ and the National Immunisation Register (NIR). Paediatric patients receiving cochlear implants between 2005 and 2019 were included and their Haemophilus influenza B, Streptococcus pneumoniae and seasonal influenza vaccine coverage recorded.
Results: Data was collected on 203 children. 93.6% were immunised against Haemophilus influenza B and 21.7% had received at least one influenza vaccine. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was fully administered in 80.8% of children however only 18.9% of eligible children had received the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. There was a marked improvement in compliance to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine once it became fully funded for CI patients.
Conclusion: Despite established guidelines the paediatric vaccination rates were less than expected. Work is in progress to address this.
Rose, O., Manukau Surgery Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
Neeff, M., Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
Introduction: An increased incidence of meningitis has been observed in children with cochlear implants (CI). Pathogens are believed to migrate along the implanted electrode from the middle ear into the inner ear which in turn communicates with CSF spaces. As such, immunisation guidelines have been established to provide protection against the most common causative organisms.
Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate whether children received the recommended vaccinations according to the Immunization guidelines and report the incidence of meningitis. We also compared the uptake rates of immunisation before and after the introduction of publicly funded vaccines.
Methods: A retrospective review was performed with data from the paediatric database of the Northern Cochlear Implant Programme, Auckland, NZ and the National Immunisation Register (NIR). Paediatric patients receiving cochlear implants between 2005 and 2019 were included and their Haemophilus influenza B, Streptococcus pneumoniae and seasonal influenza vaccine coverage recorded.
Results: Data was collected on 203 children. 93.6% were immunised against Haemophilus influenza B and 21.7% had received at least one influenza vaccine. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was fully administered in 80.8% of children however only 18.9% of eligible children had received the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. There was a marked improvement in compliance to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine once it became fully funded for CI patients.
Conclusion: Despite established guidelines the paediatric vaccination rates were less than expected. Work is in progress to address this.
