In this initial sample, 300 of 317 participants (95%) had detectable anti-spike antibodies after completing their COVID vaccine series indicating that the vast majority of patients with IBD mount an immune response following complete immunization.

Antibody responses were relatively similar across IBD medication classes, although slightly decreased among individuals taking steroid medications such as prednisone.

Although many questions remain and ongoing research efforts will help to further optimize immunization strategies for patients with IBD, these findings provide reassurance that most patients mount detectable humoral immune response to mRNA vaccinations and support current recommendations to vaccinate patients regardless of immunosuppressive treatment.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of infections, bone fractures and skin cancers. Preventive health educational messages delivered to patients may reduce the risks of these complications. With patient input, we developed video messages and tested their impact compared to text-based messages. 1056 IBD Partners participants received either video or text-based health reminder messages. The study investigated reminder messages for influenza vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, skin cancer screening, bone health and shingles vaccine. This study found that video and text-based messages for all five topics had a similar impact on intent to get needed care. For the main outcome of influenza vaccine, 57% had received a flu vaccine prior to the preventive health messages, while 73% reported they intended to get a flu vaccine after the intervention. Further studies are measuring whether people followed up to get the needed care.



If you are interested in seeing the Project PREVENT recommendations, click here.

Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, puts patients at risk of other infections, like influenza or the "flu", which could be prevented by vaccines. In a study of nearly 1000 patients with IBD, not enough said they were getting the vaccines they needed. Patients with a primary care physician and those taking immunosuppressive medications were more likely to get vaccines. The researchers recommend educating patients and encouraging gastroenterologists to ask and counsel patients on vaccines.

It is recommended that patients with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, get an influenza, or "flu" vaccine every year. The flu vaccine is especially important for patients taking medication to suppress their immune system. This study showed that 1 in 3 IBD patients did not get a flu vaccine in 2011. Receiving an email reminder from the CCFA Partners program did not make patients more likely to get a flu vaccine.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, may be more likely to develop weak bones, infections like influenza and tuberculosis and certain cancers of the skin, cervix and colon, depending on the type of medications they use. Fortunately, there are simple activities that can prevent these from occurring. In a survey of over 7000 patients with IBD, only about half had a bone density scan or took calcium or vitamin D supplements to promote bone health. Only 40% reported having a skin exam and 16% reported always wearing sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. Less than two thirds had an influenza (flu) vaccine. These results show that not enough patients are doing simple activities to prevent weak bones, infections and cancers that may be related to IBD.