Vaccinations and Screening Examinations - Prevention Awareness Among Children of Childhood Cancer Survivors in Germany

Background Immunisation levels and attendance of preventive screening examinations indicate primary health preven-tion awareness. We investigated participation among German child-hood cancer survivors' (CCS') offspring in our national offspring study. Patients and methods CCS with biological children were surveyed on their offspring's vaccination levels and attendance of preventive screening examinations by questionnaire. Data from the German general population was available for matched-pair analysis ( KiGGS study, Robert Koch-Institute, n = 17,641). Results Overall, 852/1,299 (65,6 %) CCS completed 1,340 questionnaires regarding their children's health. In comparison with the general population, coverage of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis inoculations were similar (tetanus 99,1 vs. 98,4 %). Measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations were carried out significantly more often by CCS' offspring (rubella 96,1 vs. 91,7 %). Throughout all age groups, preventive screening examinations were attended significantly more often by CCS' offspring. Parent's anxiety regarding their offspring's health was identified to be a confounding variable for vaccination rates. Discussion and conclusion CCS' offspring showed comparable to significantly higher participation levels of recommended vaccinations and screening examinations than their peers from the German general population. In contrast to the general population the attendance of CCS' offspring did not decrease with rising age. CCS' own experiences and increased worry about their children's health may lead to a higher prevention awareness. This should be considered in counselling parents with a cancer history.