Vaccination for Patients Receiving Dialysis

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Patients receiving dialysis are a vulnerable population at high risk for morbidity and mortality from infections.
• The National Forum of End-Stage Renal Disease Networks (the Forum) released a revised vaccination toolkit in 2021 to address evolving evidence and recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the key updates in the Forum's 2021 vaccination toolkit for patients on dialysis.
• To discuss the role of dialysis facilities in administering vaccines to mitigate infection risks in this population.

Main Methods:

• Review of the National Forum of End-Stage Renal Disease Networks' 2021 vaccination toolkit.
• Analysis of recent vaccine developments and their implications for dialysis patients.
• Discussion of historical and current vaccination practices in dialysis facilities.

Main Results:

• Significant updates include recommendations for high-dose influenza vaccines, the introduction of Heplisav-B for hepatitis B, and new pneumococcal vaccines (PCV15, PCV20).
• The toolkit incorporates vaccines for COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• Vaccine administration policies for COVID-19 and RSV in dialysis facilities are still evolving.

Conclusions:

• Updated vaccination strategies are essential for protecting patients on dialysis from preventable infections.
• Dialysis facilities play a critical role in implementing these vaccination recommendations.
• Continued vigilance and adaptation of vaccination protocols are necessary to address emerging infectious threats.