Influenza Vaccination in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease in the Pre-COVID-19 Era: Coverage Rate, Patient Characteristics, and Outcomes

Feasibility and Findings of Including Self-Identified Adult Congenital Heart Disease Patients in the INVESTED Trial

“…Similar outcomes between the ACHD and non-ACHD cohorts can also be explained by the overall cardioprotective properties of the influenza vaccine offered to everyone in this trial. Although low uptake of influenza vaccination in ACHD patients is well-documented, 12 , 13 this was not observed in our study—likely a reflection of selection bias, as patients interested and willing to enroll in a vaccination trial may have greater knowledge of influenza vaccination as compared with the general public. Finally, our median duration follow-up of 9 months may have been inadequate.…”

“… 11 Previous data have demonstrated that immunization rates in ACHD are lower than the non-ACHD population. 12 , 13 Therefore, any effort to curb influenza-related morbidity and mortality in this growing population may have significant implications.…”

Influenza Vaccination in Adult Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

“…Studies have shown a wide range of 20% to 70% influenza vaccine uptake among adults with CHD and thus efforts to improve vaccination rates should be amplified. 16 , 17 Older age, anatomical complexity of CHD, female gender, perceived susceptibility and severity to influenza illness, perceived benefits and side effects from influenza vaccination as well as physician recommendation have been identified as predictors of receipt of influenza vaccination in adults with CHD. 16 , 17 Both patient- and provider-level education could be targeted to improve vaccination rates among individuals with and without these predictors.…”