Outcomes Associated with Influenza Vaccination in the First Year after Kidney Transplantation

Results There were 9678 (18.7%) patients with claims for influenza vaccination in the first year post-transplant. Factors associated with vaccination included older age, diabetes, later year of transplant, and tacrolimus or mycophenolate at discharge. Vaccinations were less frequent among men, African Americans, highly sensitized patients, or those receiving induction immunosuppression or expanded criteria donor kidneys. Vaccination in the first year after transplant was associated with lower risk of subsequent allograft loss and death. Claims for influenza infection were reported in 310 (0.6%) patients and were not significantly associated with graft loss, although there was a trend toward death. Conclusions In the first year after renal transplantation, influenza vaccination was associated with a lower risk of subsequent allograft loss and death. Although this study cannot comment on formation of protective antibodies after vaccination, these data do not support withholding vaccination on the basis of concerns of adversely affecting allograft function. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 6: 1192–1197, 2011. doi: 10.2215/CJN.05430610