Vaccination of Children With Rheumatic Diseases Against Covid-19 and Influenza

After the declaration of the pandemic of the disease caused by the coronavirus 19 , an increase in the hospitalization rate of sick children was recorded.Although the majority of children with rheumatic diseases did not have a severe form of COVID-19, with the exception of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), those who had other rheumatic diseases besides juvenile idiopathic arthritis were more likely to have serious outcomes.Therefore, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Task Force and the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society (PReS) recommend vaccination against COVID-19 for children with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases.Studies have shown a good safety profile of the vaccine, with minimal or no side effects in most patients, and the most recent research has documented the high efficacy of the vaccine.Children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases have a high risk of serious complications due to influenza infection.Therefore, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and PReS strongly recommend the vaccination of children with inflammatory rheumatic diseases using the seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine, which is also safe and immunogenic.