Seasonal flu-vaccination in the immunocompromised burns patient

Influenza is a serious disease which can be life threatening. Patients with significant burns have reduced physiological reserve and are at risk both of incurring dangerous respiratory complications. In other susceptible patient groups the flu vaccine is used to reduce the risk of flu and lessen its effects. We aim to investigate whether there were any existing local and national trends in the use of flu vaccination in burns patients. Our second objective was to review any current evidence in the literature.

A questionnaire was carried out of consultants in our own health board and of 5 of the major burns units in the UK to assess current practice.

None of the local respondent were aware of any existing guidelines. None of the external units contacted reported the use of a guideline for flu vaccination in burns patients. On searching the literature there were no existing studies investigating the use of flu vaccination in burns patients.

Through review of the literature on flu vaccination in immunocompromised patients we show how this could be extrapolated to patients with significant burns. We propose a guideline to aid in the decision to prescribe flu vaccine to patients with significant burns taking into account age, % TBSA burn and comorbidity. The decision to recommend the flu vaccine in this group should be considered on an individual basis. However, flu vaccination represents a simple, low-risk measure which could prevent the dangerous complications of influenza in an at risk group.