Q) What can I tell my kidney patients to increase acceptance of the influenza and pneumonia vaccines during cold and flu season?
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccination, unless contraindicated.1 Additionally, administration of either the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) or the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for all adults ages 65 and older and for younger adults (ages 19 to 64) with diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic heart disease, and/or solid organ transplant.1 Despite these recommendations, patients often decline vaccination. What they may not realize is that CKD increases their risk for infection.
