Understanding Vaccination in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients – Dr Anil Kumar B T
Vaccines
in CKD
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD),
particularly those undergoing dialysis or having a kidney transplant, are at
high risk of morbidity and death due to infection. After cardiovascular
illness, it is the second most common cause of death. Patients with CKD are susceptible
to infections because their immune responses to fight against infections is
reduced.
This is especially more in patients with advanced stages of CKD,
Dialysis and Kidney transplant. Vaccination
is used to prevent numerous infectious diseases that might be fatal, and it can
produce cellular and humoral immunity against particular pathogens. However,
vaccination efficacy is diminished in patients with CKD compared with general
population.
How vaccines work?
Immunisations imitate an
infection, which helps shield against some diseases. They protect you by helping your body’s immune system
“prepare” for a real infection. Vaccines use components of a weakened or dead
germ to do this. Your body creates antibodies after the injection, which aid in
the body’s ability to identify and eliminate germs that are harmful.
These
antibodies will defend you in the event that you come into contact with the
actual germ. To ensure that your body produces enough antibodies for some
vaccines, you may need to receive a booster dose. For this reason, certain
vaccines may require a single dose, while others may require many shots.
To ensure there are sufficient antibodies for
protection, a blood test may be performed in certain circumstances. Since it
often takes a few weeks for the body to mount a complete defence against an
infection. An individual may contract an illness and have symptoms either just
before or shortly after receiving a vaccination.
Effectiveness
As
a whole, vaccinations are a very beneficial method of maintaining public
health. Vaccinations might not be able to prevent your body from contracting a
particular infection, such as COVID-19 or influenza.
Vaccines, on the other
hand, help your body prepare in case the germ enters your body and prevent you
from becoming severely ill. This suggests that vaccinations do not guarantee
against contracting the illness. Increasing your chances of rapidly overcoming
that infection is the aim.
Recommended vaccines for CKD patients in India:
The common vaccines recommended in patients with CKD are:
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
Other optional vaccines are:
- Hepatitis A
- MMR
- Varicella
- Diphtheria and Tetanus toxoids
Side effects
There
is a chance that vaccines will have negative effects, just like any drug. A
slight rash, pain, or discomfort on the skin where the vaccination was
administered may occur in certain individuals. Headache, fatigue, or a mild
fever are some other adverse effects of vaccinations. These minor side effects
are very common and shouldn’t be concerning.
More severe adverse effects
include immune system reactions known as Guillain-Barré syndrome (tingling and
weakness in the feet, legs, arms, or face, shortness of breath, choking on
saliva), seizures, or allergic reactions (e.g., hives, swelling of the face and
throat, fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness). These side effects are
extremely rare.
Conclusion
The safest method of preventing serious illnesses and guarding against
specific diseases is through vaccination. The protection that vaccinations
offer is not as likely to prevent serious and deadly complications from natural
illnesses.