We thank the reader for his interest in the guideline on immunization of children treated with chemotherapy [1]. We agree that five years (2014-2019) was a long time for this guideline to develop from inception of the idea to publication; however, despite the lag time, the published version was updated immediately pre-publication in line with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP) 2018-2019 immunization recommendations [2] (which in itself is updated based on current evidence) based on pre-approval review by the ACVIP itself.

We also acknowledge that it is essential to detail the methodology of guideline development and grade the strength of recommendations based on the level of evidence. A companion article with more detailed review of literature and gradation of available evidence was previously submitted to this journal along with the guidelines, and is currently under review for publication in a different journal. When considered together, the companion article should be able to complement the published guidelines, so as to fulfill many of the items mentioned in the AGREE 2016 checklist [3].  

REFERENCES

1. Moulik NR, Mandal P, Chandra J, Bansal S, Jog P, Sanjay S, et al. Immunization of children with cancer in India treated with chemotherapy -Consensus Guideline from the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Chapter and the Advisory Committee on Vaccination and Immunization Practices of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Indian Pediatr. 2019;56:1041-8.

2. Balasubramanian S, Shah A, Pemde HK, Chatterjee P, Shivananda S, Guduru VK, et al. Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP) Recommended Immunization Schedule(2018-19) and Update on Immunization for Children Aged 0 Through 18 Years. Indian Pediatr. 2018;55:1066-74.

3. Irving G. The AGREE Reporting Checklist is useful for assessing the quality of clinical practice guideline development. BMJ. 2016;353:i2027.