Optimizing Vaccination in Immunosuppressed Patients with Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disease

Patients with autoimmune or inflammatory disease, such as rheumatologic diseases, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease, are at increased risk for serious infection. Potent immunosuppressive therapy, which largely comprises biologic agents, has become the mainstay of treatment for many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions but also plays a major role in raising infection risk. Many infections that may affect immunosuppressed patients are preventable. However, vaccination rates among immunosuppressed patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are low. Primary care clinicians, such as physicians, PAs, nurse practitioners, and nurses, are well-positioned for providing preventive care, of which vaccination is an important component. Since primary care clinicians and specialists share responsibility for vaccinating immunosuppressed patients, care coordination is essential for ensuring that patients are appropriately vaccinated. Therefore, clinicians in primary care need to be knowledgeable about evidence-based recommendations for vaccination in patients with autoimmune or inflammatory disease, particularly those treated with biologics and other immunosuppressive agents.

Target Audience

This activity is intended to meet the educational needs of healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with autoimmune and inflammatory disease.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Summarize guideline recommendations for vaccinating patients treated with biologics and immunosuppressive therapy.
  • Implement strategies to coordinate care between primary care providers and specialists to ensure appropriate vaccination of immunosuppressed patients.
  • Employ effective approaches to patient counseling and education to improve patient adherence to vaccination recommendations.

Additional Information

Partner: 
myCME
State Approved: 
Connecticut
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Course opens: 
03/31/2021
Course expires: 
03/31/2022
Rating: 
1

Paul G. Auwaerter, MD, MBA, FIDSA
Sherrilyn and Ken Fisher Professor of Medicine
Clinical Director, Division of Infectious Diseases
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Chief Medical Officer
Point of Care-Information Technology (POC-IT) Center
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD

Dr. Auwaerter reports the following disclosures: Contracted Research: MicroB-Plex; Consulting Fee: Adaptive BioTherapeutics, Collidion, DiaSorin, Shionogi; Ownership Interest: Johnson and Johnson

Faculty

Benjamin J. Smith, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
Director of Didactic Education, Assistant Professor
School of Physician Assistant Practice
Florida State University College of Medicine
Tallahassee, FL

Dr. Smith has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
 

Michael Chattergoon, PhD, MD
Robert Meyerhoff Assistant Professor of Medicine
Department of Infectious Diseases
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD

Dr. Chattergoon has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

This activity is provided by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and American Academy of PAs.

AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Medical Logix, LLC. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AAPA Category 1 Credit

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been reviewed by the AAPA Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria.

Designation Statement

This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credit. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid through September 30, 2021. AAPA credit only available through www.aapa.org.

Additional Credit Information

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Program accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Please login or register to take this course.

This course is offered through MyCME. 

To take this course you will be redirected to MyCME's website. You must login or create an account with MyCME in order to complete this activity. 

Mocingbird works to provide curated, high quality content to our users. Have a suggestion? Want to partner with us? Get in touch!

Topics

 

Infectious Disease