Bridging Gaps in Childhood Immunization for Immunodeficient, Hematology–oncology, and Post-transplant Populations

The immunization of children with inborn or acquired immunodeficiency, including those encountering hematological malignancies or who have received hematopoietic stem cell transplants, represents a critical area in pediatric healthcare. These children are particularly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, with their immunodeficient status compounding both susceptibility and severity of infection.The implementation of effective vaccination strategies for these populations is often debated, largely due to concerns related to both the diminished immune response to vaccines and the potential safety issues, especially surrounding live attenuated vaccines. Despite international guidelines that offer frameworks for vaccine use in such high-risk groups, substantial practice variability persists. This is attributed to heterogeneous underlying conditions, physician preferences, and the influence of vaccine hesitancy, further complicated by the evolving landscape of immunizations and ongoing clinical debate over optimal approaches.While some recent studies have highlighted the benefit and safety of inactivated vaccines and the careful, individualized administration of live vaccines in select cases, the body of evidence remains fragmented. Insights into immunogenicity, durability of protection, and adverse events across diverse immunodeficient cohorts, especially in children undergoing chemotherapy or transplant, are incomplete. There is a strong call within the scientific and clinical community for robust, longitudinal research to dissect factors that influence vaccine responsiveness and safety in these patients, aiming to address the variability in outcomes and bridge critical knowledge gaps. This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of vaccination strategies for children with primary or secondary immunodeficiencies, with a special focus on those undergoing intensive hematology–oncology and post-transplant care.The objective is to clarify how immunization protocols can be tailored to maximize benefits and minimize harm in this vulnerable population. Investigations that provide insight into vaccine immunogenicity, long-term protection, adverse event profiles, and the development of practical clinical pathways will be prioritized, as well as studies addressing aspects of vaccine hesitancy and physician decision-making processes.To gather further insights into the challenges and advances in pediatric vaccination for immunodeficient populations, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Personalization of immunization schedules for children with inborn errors of immunity• Safety and immunogenicity of live and inactivated vaccines in immunodeficient pediatric patients• Vaccination strategies for children undergoing chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation• Overcoming vaccine hesitancy and enhancing decision-making in immunodeficient care• Monitoring and management of adverse reactions following immunization• Practical recommendations and consensus pathway development for clinical implementation• Long-term effectiveness and follow-up of vaccination in immunocompromised childrenArticle types welcome include: original research, comprehensive or systematic reviews, brief research reports, clinical guidelines, case studies, and expert opinions. Topic editors: Giorgio Costagliola, Viviana Moschese, Riccardo Castagnoli Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77442/bridging-gaps-in-childhood-immunization-for-immunodeficient-hematology-oncology-and-post-transplant-populations