[Effectiveness of influenza vaccination in patients undergoing regular dialysis treatments].
BACKGROUND
The influenza vaccination is considered useful in preventing influenza and its complications, but its efficacy is variable. Recent data on clinical effectiveness of influenza vaccination in renal patients are lacking.


METHODS
The clinical efficacy in our Hemodialysis Unit during the last three years has been evaluated: 287 patients have been vaccinated. The rate of vaccination achieved has been of 81.3%.


RESULTS
The efficacy has been of 46.7%. The difference of efficacy noted among young people (< 60 years) and elderly (> 60 years) in general population is not observed among our hemodialyzed patients. Bronchopulmonary complications (radiographically proven) have been low: 1.7%. No mortality increase has been observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that influenza vaccine can reduce the incidence and severity of influenza virus infections also among hemodialyzed patients.
Dogliani
M
M
Servizio di Nefrologia e Dialisi, Presidio Ospedaliero, Ciriè, Torino.
Fidelio
T
T
Scalzo
B
B
Iacono
G
G
Deabate
M C
MC
Bagatella
M
M
Saracco
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination
D007252:Influenza Vaccines