Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine in Hemodialyzed Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Infection is one of the leading causes of mortality in dialysis patients, second only to cardiovascular disease. This retrospective study assessed the efficacy and clinical outcomes of influenza vaccination among hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the 2014-2015 season, 104 of 164 (63.6%) HD patients were vaccinated for influenza by the outpatient community health system facilities. Significantly more patients, 159 of 170 (93.8%), were vaccinated in 2015-2016 by the hospital dialysis unit staff during an inpatient HD session (P <0.001). A trend toward fewer complications from influenza infection was observed in vaccinated patients. Among HD patients with diabetes (who comprised 56% of the study population), the incidence of influenza was 17% among nonvaccinated patients vs. 6.3% among those who were vaccinated (P =0.026). The inpatient vaccination policy resulted in a greater rate of vaccination. HD patients with diabetes benefit from influenza vaccination, with a significantly lower incidence of influenza infection.

Dialysis modality, humoral response to vaccine, and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection risk: Comparative prospective evaluation

“…This might be explained by an active recommendation approach for the fourth dose by the treating team. Previous studies have shown that active recommendations in HD centers led to increased vaccination rates 25 . Another reason could be that HD patients are concerned because of increased exposure to others during treatments.…”

Immunizations in Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplantation

“…Dialysis centers are systematically able to deliver vaccines, and this is an essential infection control measure. Consequently, patients in dialysis centers tend to get higher rates of vaccination compared with those not in dialysis centers [ 25 ]. In a study of hemodialysis (HD) patients with diabetes, 17% of the non-vaccinated patients develop clinical influenza compared with 6.3% among those who were vaccinated ( p = 0.026) [ 25 ].…”

“…Consequently, patients in dialysis centers tend to get higher rates of vaccination compared with those not in dialysis centers [ 25 ]. In a study of hemodialysis (HD) patients with diabetes, 17% of the non-vaccinated patients develop clinical influenza compared with 6.3% among those who were vaccinated ( p = 0.026) [ 25 ]. A trial comparing non-adjuvanted influenza vaccine with vaccine adjuvanted with MF59 found higher rates of seroconversion after adjuvant vaccine in patients on dialysis, suggesting this may provide better clinical protection [ 26 ].…”

Humoral response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine in peritoneal and hemodialysis patients: A comparative study

“…A known challenge in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) then reemerged: impaired immune system function translating in low immunogenicity from vaccination [8]. Influenza, pneumococcal and Hepatitis B immunization have systematically shown some level of weakened response compared to the general population [9][10][11][12][13]. New protocols involving follow-up antibody measurements, adjuvant improvement, and repeated inoculations have minimized this problem, particularly well documented for Hepatitis B [14,15].…”