Flu Vaccine Is Safe For Hospitalized Patients

Recent research has affirmed the safety of the influenza vaccination for hospitalized patients.

In order to examine whether vaccination against influenza during hospitalization could affect health care utilization, fever, and infection following hospital discharge, the researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 6 months and older hospitalized in a Kaiser Permanente Southern California facility between 2011 and 2014. Outcome risks were compared among those who were vaccinated during hospitalization, those who were never vaccinated, and those who were vaccinated at other times.

Outcomes included rates of outpatient and emergency department visits, readmissions, fever, and clinical laboratory evaluations for infection in the 7 days following discharge.

Overall, 290,149 hospitalizations among 255,737 patients were included in the study. After adjustment, the researchers found no increases in the risk of readmissions (relative risk [RR] 0.88), outpatients visits (RR 0.97), fever (RR 0.80), and clinical evaluations for infection (RR 0.95) among those vaccinated during hospitalization compared with those never vaccinated or vaccinated at other times.  

“Our findings provide reassurance about the safety of influenza vaccination during hospitalization. Every contact with a health care professional, including during a hospitalization, is an opportunity to vaccinate.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Tartof SY, Qian L, Liu IA, et al. Safety of influenza vaccination administered during hospitalization [published online January 8, 2019]. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.11.024