Dialysis patients who skip flu vaccine more likely to be hospitalized

Patients who skipped vaccination were 53% more likely to be hospitalized during the flu season the first year, 87% more likely the second year and 158% more likely to be hospitalized the third year

Hemodialysis patients who skipped the influenza vaccine were significantly more likely to be hospitalized than those who were vaccinated, according to a three-year study of more than 150,000 kidney dialysis patients presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s 2016 Kidney Week.

The study tracked Fresenius Kidney Care patients who were vaccinated against the flu. The percentage of Fresenius Kidney Care patients who opted for yearly vaccination against the flu increased from 60% the first year of the study to 80% the third year.

“While almost everyone should be vaccinated against influenza, people with kidney failure who are on dialysis are at high risk for complications if they get sick, which is why it is vital they get the flu vaccine every year,” said Nien Chen Li, MPH, MS, MA, lead author of the study and biostatistician for Fresenius Medical Care. “We’re gratified to see that our patients are increasingly choosing to be vaccinated.”

Read the full story at Nephrology News.