Assessment of Immunization Status in Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy Cases and Vaccine Recommendations

Purpose Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are the most common neuromuscular diseases in childhood. Since respiratory system involvement is one of the major causes of mortality, vaccinations play a crucial role. In this study, we aimed to assess the vaccination status of our patients diagnosed with DMD and BMD. Methods This single-center study included patients with DMD and BMD who were followed up at the Neuromuscular Diseases Center of Tepecik Training and Research Hospital in İzmir, Türkiye. The vaccination status of these patients according to the Turkish National Vaccination Program, as well as their additional influenza vaccination status, was evaluated. Results A total of 160 patients were included in the study. We found that 23% of the cases had missing vaccines in the national vaccination program. The rate of those who received regular influenza vaccination was only 8%. The rate of hospitalization due to infection in the past year was 8%, and influenza was identified as the etiology in 80% of these cases. The most frequently missing vaccines in the national vaccination program were as follows: 18% (n = 30) varicella, 17% (n = 28) hepatitis A, 15% (n = 25) measles–mumps–rubella (MMR), 12% (n = 20) pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), 8% (n = 13) oral polio vaccine (OPV), 0.25% (n = 4) Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), and 0.25% (n = 4) diphtheria–tetanus toxoids–acellular pertussis–inactivated poliovirus vaccine (DTaP-IPV). Conclusions In our study, we found that vaccination rates among DMD and BMD patients were lower compared to the healthy population. The vaccination status of patients should be assessed, and appropriate vaccine administration should be ensured through proper recommendations.