The prevention of infectious diseases in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population is an important goal of physicians and public health practitioners. Influenza is responsible for approximately 226,000 influenza-related hospitalizations and 36,000 influenza-related deaths each year. CKD patients are at an increased risk for influenza complications. This is why researchers are constantly trying to learn new ways to protect the more vulnerable CKD population.
 
Studies have shown the influenza vaccine is one of three vaccines (along with the hepatitis B vaccine and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine) recommended for patients with CKD. Vaccination for influenza has proven to decrease risks of influenza-related hospitalizations, deaths and physicians visits.
 
Check with your physician about getting vaccinated for influenza today.

This article originally appeared in the July 2009 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.