A double-dose flu vaccine could increase antibody production in organ recipients to help them better fight off the virus after a transplant, according to a study published in Vaccine.
Here are three things to know:
1. For the study, researchers used randomized controlled trials to compare the immunogenicity and safety of double-dose and standard dose flu vaccines in 63 kidney and 16 liver transplant recipients. Forty patients received the double-dose flu vaccine and 39 received the single-dose vaccine.
2. Forty percent of the double-dose patients responded to the vaccine, compared to the 26 percent of the single-dose patients. In the double-dose group, 88 percent were protected against all viral strains, compared to 69 percent of people in the single-dose group. About 132 titers of antibodies for the H1Ni virus were present in the double-dose group post-vaccination, compared to about 90 titers of antibodies in the single-dose group.
3. Researchers concluded the double-dose influenza vaccine is safe for patients with compromised immune systems and may increase antibody response in transplant recipients.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
Older, sicker patients often uncomfortable speaking up about problems during hospital stays, survey finds
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation partner to detect infectious disease spread
The Joint Commission appoints co-directors of Standards Interpretation Group