ABSTRACT
Children and adults with rheumatic diseases (RD) have a higher risk to contract infections due to the underlying disease and the frequently necessary immunosuppressive treatment (IT). The quality of life of the majority of patients with RD has remarkably improved due to IT-related reduction of inflammation. Therefore, RD patients usually have an international travel behavior similar to healthy individuals. An investigation indicated that patients with RD and IT have lower travel vaccination rates and are often less well-prepared for their trip in comparison to healthy travelers, even when visiting high risk destinations. As the risk for general and travel-acquired infections is increased for patients with RD with and without IT, pretravel consultations are important. These pretravel consultations should include recommendations addressing travel cancellation, travel modification and travel vaccinations depending on the patient's risk. Travel vaccinations include vaccinations against hepatitis A, typhoid fever, rabies, cholera, meningococcal diseases, tick-bone encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, seasonal influenza, poliomyelitis and yellow fever. In patients with RD the indications for vaccination depend on the exposure risks, disease severity, individual travel behavior, and possible complications associated with vaccination. In the further evaluation process it is crucial to include the general health condition of the patient, the underlying RD (type and activity), duration and intensity of the IT. In general, live-attenuated vaccines are contraindicated under IT. In contrast, inactivated vaccines may be administered although reduced immunogenicity with the need for antibody measurement, special vaccine schedules or additional booster vaccinations should be considered under IT.
