Learn why an annual flu shot is important for people living with chronic kidney disease.
As someone living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), do you know how the flu and an annual flu shot can affect your health and prognosis? Dr. Harold Manley, a senior pharmacist director with 30 years of experience, is an expert on vaccines that includes the flu shot. In a National Kidney Foundation’s Hot Topics in Kidney Health podcast, Dr. Manley answers common questions about the flu and discusses the importance of flu vaccines for CKD patients.*
https://hottopicsinkidneyhealth.podbean.com/e/flu-vaccine-what-kidney-patients-need-to-know-in-2022/
Influenza, or flu for short, is a mild to severe respiratory illness caused by a virus. Dr. Manley explains how anyone can contract the virus and develop the flu, but the risk is higher for people with chronic conditions, like CKD, that can negatively impact the immune system. According to the CDC, severe cases of the flu result in hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. each year.
Fortunately, the flu vaccine shot decreases your chances of developing the flu. If you do get the flu after receiving the shot, the shot may still reduce the severity of the illness.
Experts recommended getting the flu shot every year, since the flu virus mutates and evolves from year to year. “Everyone, regardless if you have kidney disease, should consider influenza vaccination on a yearly basis because the virus mutates and changes,” said Dr. Manley. “The formulation of the vaccine also changes.”
Ideally, he says, you should aim to get the shot between late September and early October, as it takes about two weeks for your body to build immunity. This will ensure that you are maximally protected for the peak flu season between December and February.
There are two categories of flu shots::
Flu shots can come in a standard or higher dose. They also have a nasal spray vaccine, but it is not recommended for patients with advanced stages of CKD or who have had a kidney transplant. A healthcare professional can help to determine the right flu vaccine for you.
Dr. Manley says that it’s safe to get the flu and a COVID-19 vaccine or booster at the same time. “We’re always being bombarded by different viruses and bacteria,” he explains. “Our immune system is phenomenal, and it can address all these different assaults on our bodies.” While it is usually safe, the only concern for most people is a higher likelihood of noticeable side effects, such as soreness near the injection site, or body aches.
After getting vaccinated, there are other ways to decrease the risk of exposure to the virus, which include:
For more information about the flu and CKD, contact the NKF Cares, Patient Information Center, call toll-free at 1-855-653-2273, or email nkfcares@kidney.org.
*Flu Season is Back. How People with Kidney Disease Can Prepare. (2022, November 22). National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/newsletter/flu-season-back-how-people-kidney-disease-can-prepare
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