AUTHOR=Denz Robin , van de Sand Heike , Basten Jale , Meiszl Katharina , Tokic Marianne , Oganowski Theresa , Grüter Thomas , Stock Stephanie , Simic Dusan , Shukri Arim , Kiltz Uta , Zacharopoulou Maria , Vollmar Horst Christian , Otte Ina Carola , Giehl Chantal , Lauer Romy , Suslow Anastasia , Stallmach Andreas , Franz Anika , Marschall Ursula , Saam Joachim , Schumacher Catharina , Blaschke Katja , Meyer Ingo , Hellwig Kerstin , Timmesfeld Nina ,  The VAC-MAC Consortium 

TITLE=Comparing the effectiveness of different vaccines in individuals with and without autoimmune diseases: a study protocol for a target trial emulation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1583434

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1583434

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=AimThis article presents the study protocol of a retrospective cohort study designed to compare the effectiveness of herpes zoster, and influenza vaccines in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), or chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD) to individuals without these diseases, using claims data of one of the largest population based health insurances in Germany.BackgroundIndividuals with autoimmune diseases such as MS, IBD, and CIRD are more susceptible to vaccine preventable infectious diseases such as influenza and herpes zoster, due to the autoimmune disease itself, the presence of comorbidities and immunosuppressive therapies. Vaccines are the primary means to prevent such diseases. The efficacy of these vaccines is usually estimated using large randomized controlled trials, from which patients with MS, IBD, and CIRD are often excluded. It is therefore unclear whether these vaccines are also effective for these patients.DesignA target trial emulation based on observational claims data of a statutory health insurance company is proposed.MethodsThis study will aim to emulate multiple target trials to compare the effectiveness of herpes zoster and influenza vaccines in patients with and without MS, IBD and CIRD using data from a large German statutory health insurance provider (BARMER). The primary outcome for each vaccine effectiveness analysis is the disease itself. The analysis will be carried out using both time-dependent matching and a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model in conjunction with g-computation. Additionally, the moderating effect of immunosuppressive therapies on the vaccine effectiveness will be estimated using a stratified secondary analysis.DiscussionThis study will estimate and compare the effectiveness of influenza and herpes zoster vaccines in individuals with and without MS, IBD, and CIRD. Because of the large amount of data, this study will also be able to investigate the role of the immunosuppressive medication on vaccine effectiveness, which may provide guidance for vaccine administration guidelines.