title: Evaluation of timing of first vaccination in children after hematopoietic allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Protective immunity to vaccine preventable infectious diseases might be lost over time following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Limited data are available on the appropriate follow-up of vaccination schedules in pediatric HSCT patients. This study aims to ascertain whether the guidelines for vaccination recommended in our hospital are followed and to which extent of conformity they are used.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 5-year survey, including all pediatric allogeneic HSCT patients, transplanted at the Ghent University hospital, Belgium. Data were collected from the patient's electronic (nursing and medical) charts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data on vaccination schedules of 28 patients (54.9%) eligible for the recommended vaccinations were collected. Eleven patients (11/28; 39.3%) were vaccinated timely. In 14 out of 17 patients (82.4%) vaccination was postponed for medical reasons, while vaccination was postponed without medical reason in 17.6% (3/17). Vaccination data could not be retrieved in 43.1 (22/51) of patients. Vaccination was declined by the parents in one patient (2.0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is high level of agreement between the hospital guideline and the vaccination of pediatric HSCT patients. Health-care providers play a crucial role in effectively appropriate follow-up of vaccination schedules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: tiene.bauters@uzgent.be.
authors.forename: Tiene
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bauters
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bordon Cueto De Braem
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Infectious Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schelstraete
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Lancker
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laureys
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Benoit
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dhooge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination
keywords: Compliance; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Pediatrics; Vaccination