Disparities in Vaccination Amongst Socially Vulnerable Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Sheehan JL, Jordan AA, Newman KL, Johnson LA, Eloubeidi D, Cohen-Mekelburg S, Berinstein JA, Tipirneni R, Higgins PDR. Disparities in Vaccination Amongst Socially Vulnerable Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Digestive diseases and sciences. 2025 Jan 1; 70(1):136-145, DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08733-x.

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Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Social determinants of health (SDOH) have a known impact on disparities in vaccination. Despite an increased risk for infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), SDOH and vaccination in this population have not been studied. Using census tract-level data from the Centers for Disease Control''s social vulnerability index (SVI), we aimed to understand the relationship between SDOH and adherence to guideline-recommended vaccinations in patients with IBD. METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort of patients with IBD was used to geocode patient addresses to their individual census tract and corresponding SVI and subthemes (Socioeconomic Status, Household Composition, Minority Status, and Housing/Transportation). We used separate multivariable logistic regressions to examine the relationship between SVI and vaccination against influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal pneumonia, and herpes zoster. RESULTS: A total of 7,036 patients were included. Rates of vaccination varied across vaccine-types: influenza (57%), COVID-19 (65%), pneumococcal pneumonia (58%), and herpes zoster (11%). High social vulnerability was associated with lower odds of vaccination against influenza (OR 0.47, p? < 0.001), COVID-19 (OR 0.54, p? < 0.001), pneumonia (OR 0.73, p? = 0.012), and herpes zoster (OR 0.39, p? < 0.001). Within the SVI subthemes, Socioeconomic Status, Household Composition, and Minority Status were important factors associated with differences in vaccine uptake. CONCLUSION: Higher social vulnerability was associated with lower rates of vaccination across all vaccine types. Identifying these disparities in vaccination for socially vulnerable patients with IBD is the first step to reducing preventable infections and ensuring all patients receive high quality, equitable care.