Lessons learned from the H1N1 pandemic: The need to improve systematic vaccination in Sickle Cell Disease children. A multi center survey in Italy

During the recent H1N1 pandemic, children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) experienced more hospitalizations and more complications than the general pediatric population. We performed a retrospective multicenter survey at 9 Pediatric Haematology-Oncology Units across Italy. H1N1 admission rate was 5.2%, with all admissions occurring before vaccine availability. Length Of Stay (LOS) was 6.06 days (7.85 for Acute Chest Syndrome), longer than in other countries. Vaccination coverage was not homogeneous, ranging from 0 to 99%; several family-related and health-system related barriers in accessing vaccinations were identified that should be ameliorated to improve coverage in this high risk group of children.