The Efficacy of Influenza Vaccination is Reduced in Nursing Home Older Adults With Moderate to Severe Renal Impairment

Abstract

In patients with end stage renal failure, the immune response toward influenza vaccination and its efficacy to reduce mortality are inferior to patients with normal renal function. 1 Suga T. Niki H. Niikura M. et al. Influenza antibody titers after vaccination of chronic renal failure patients. Tokai J Exp Clin Med. 1990; 15: 245-251 PubMed Google Scholar , 2 Gilbertson D.T. Unruh M. McBean A.M. et al. Influenza vaccine delivery and effectiveness in end stage renal disease. Kidney Int. 2003; 63: 738-743 Crossref PubMed Scopus (99) Google Scholar In 2009, the pandemic H1N1 infection had caused significant mortality in Hong Kong, with 90% virus isolated being H1N1. 3 Wu J.T. Ma E.S.K. Lee C.K. et al. The infection attack rate and severity of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza in Hong Kong. Clin Infect Dis. 2010; 51: 1184-1191 Crossref PubMed Scopus (163) Google Scholar , 4 Center of Health Protection. The Government of the Hong Kong. Monthly summary tables of influenza virus isolation 2009. Available at: http://www.chp.gov.hk/. Accessed January 7, 2012. Google Scholar The dual vaccination (seasonal influenza and H1N1) strategy offered additional benefits in reducing mortality in older adults, 5 Chan T.C. Hung I.F. Luk J.K. et al. Efficacy of dual vaccination of pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza and seasonal influenza on institutionalized elderly: A one-year prospective cohort study. Vaccine. 2011; 29: 7773-7778 Crossref PubMed Scopus (16) Google Scholar and this study further examined whether this strategy is still efficacious in older adults with renal dysfunction.