20.500.12556/DiRROS-24637 Influenza vaccine uptake in juvenile idiopathic arthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic a multi-centre cross-sectional study by PRES vaccination working party Background: Children with rheumatic diseases are at risk for contracting severe influenza and COVID-19 and are thus targeted for these vaccination. Objectives: To assess the influenza (flu) vaccination rate in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), investigate families’ attitudes towards the influenza vaccine, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on flu vaccine uptake. Methods: This multi-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted across 9 countries. JIA caregivers completed an anonymous questionnaire about their children’s influenza vaccination, including the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 seasons, including knowledge, and perceptions regarding influenza vaccination. Results: Based on responses from 655 JIA caregivers, 152 children (23.2%) received influenza vaccinations in the 2020–2021 season, representing a significant rise from 18.6% in the previous season (p < 0.01). The likelihood of vaccination was higher among employed/self-employed caregivers compared to unemployed (28.2% and 29.9% vs. 13.9%), and those with tertiary education versus elementary (28% vs. 9.7%), both p < 0.01. Concerns of children’s vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 and severe COVID-19 disease due to JIA were prevalent (51.3% and 85.3% respectively), with 51.3% supporting COVID-19 vaccination. Caregivers who previously vaccinated their children for influenza showed a greater inclination towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (73.4% and 79.5%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Families of children with JIA reported an increasing flu vaccine uptake and a high intention for COVID- 19 vaccine administration. Previous vaccination behavior was shown as a significant predictor of future behaviour. Strengthening health education may address fears and lead to better vaccine coverage against both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in children with JIA and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases. influenza vaccine juvenile idiopathic arthritis JIA COVID-19 vaccination children true false true Angleški jezik Ni določen Neznano 2025-12-09 13:59:25 2025-12-09 13:59:25 2025-12-10 03:45:50 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 Nasl. z nasl. zaslona; Opis vira z dne 20. 10. 2025; str. 1-7 [article no.] ǂ103 Vol. 23 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno apc 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 616-002 1546-0096 10.1186/s12969-025-01158-4 253825027 RAZ_Maritsi_Despoina_2025.pdf RAZ_Maritsi_Despoina_2025.pdf 1 6FB7E1D4D9338CD5671FED8746E5952D 0cab4a49b19a7a71590200ee93a66b9761d8956db64b4490dae2822296118ab1 18a97313-d4ff-11f0-94a7-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=36764 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12969-025-01158-4 0 23a20d82-d4ff-11f0-94a7-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=36765 Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana 0 0 0