Effectiveness of the influenza vaccine for preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza infections in outpatient immunocompromised adults, 2017–2018

• Published in: Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics Vol. 20; no. 1
• Main Authors: Hughes Kramer, Kailey, Zimmerman, Richard K., Haggerty, Catherine L., Balasubramani, G. K., Nowalk, Mary Patricia, Martin, Emily T., Gaglani, Manjusha, Phillips, C. Hallie, Belongia, Edward, Chung, Jessie, Silveira, Fernanda P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 31.12.2024; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Brief Report; immunocompromised; Influenza; vaccine; vaccine effectiveness
• ISSN: 2164-5515; 2164-554X
• DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2354013

While the number of immunocompromised (IC) individuals continues to rise, the existing literature on influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in IC populations is limited. Understanding the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the seasonal influenza vaccines in immunocompromised (IC) populations remains paramount. Using 2017–2018 US Flu VE Network data, we examined the VE of the 2017–2018 seasonal influenza vaccine against symptomatic influenza in outpatient settings among IC adults. We used logistic regression and adjusted for enrollment site, race, self-reported general health status, age, and onset date of symptoms. The VE among non-IC was 31% (95% CI: 22, 39) and among IC participants was −4% (95% CI: −66, 35), though the difference was not statistically significant. This study demonstrates the capacity to study a large IC population using an existing influenza VE network and contributes to the literature to support large, multicenter VE studies for IC populations. Influenza vaccine effectiveness studies are lacking among immunocompromised patients. The VE among non-IC and IC outpatient adults ≥18 years were 31% (95% CI: 22, 39) and −4% (95% CI: −66, 35), respectively, for 2017–2018 seasonal influenza vaccines.