[Influenza vaccination of immunocompromised patients: safe and effective]

Abstract

Influenza vaccination is important in order to limit flu-related morbidity and mortality. This especially applies to immunocompromised patients, such as HIV-infected individuals and patients on immunosuppressive treatment, who have an increased risk for developing complications from influenza. Influenza vaccine can be safely administered to all immunocompromised patients, but the effectiveness of the vaccine may be reduced. Uncertainty still exists concerning the value of an increased vaccine dose or booster vaccination: if positive effects exist, they are probably only of marginal clinical importance. Despite clearly reduced effectiveness, vaccination of immunocompromised patients is still valuable in view of the high absolute risk of infection and complications.