Yellow fever vaccination status and safety in hemodialysis patients

• Yellow fever vaccination was assessed in chronic dialysis patients.
• Vaccination coverage was lower than desired for a transition area.
• The vaccine was overall safe and well-tolerated.

SummaryBackgroundThe adverse effects of yellow fever (YF) vaccine in dialysis patients are not well known. There is concern about the risks and benefits of the vaccine in immunocompromised patients living in endemic areas, particularly given the risk of resurgence of urban YF with the spread of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The purpose of this study was to assess the coverage and safety of YF vaccine in chronic dialysis patients.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 130 chronic dialysis patients was performed. Data were collected on clinical characteristics and YF vaccine status. Patients not vaccinated against YF or without a booster vaccination within the last 10 years were referred to receive the vaccine, and adverse effects were monitored.ResultsPrevious vaccination was verified in 44 patients within the last 10 years and in 26 patients at more than 10 years ago, with no mention of adverse effects. Thirty-six patients had never been vaccinated and 24 had an unknown vaccination status. Of the total 86 patients referred for immunization, 45 actually received the YF vaccine, with 24.4% experiencing mild local adverse effects and 4.4% experiencing fever. No serious adverse effects attributable to YF vaccine were observed (anaphylaxis, neurological or viscerotropic disease).ConclusionsYF vaccine coverage among hemodialysis patients is low, and the vaccine appeared to be safe in this population with a small sample size.

The live attenuated yellow fever vaccine seems to be safe in patients on hemodialysis in a transition area.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (116 K)Download as PowerPoint slide