Abstract

INTRODUCTION Administration of the adjuvant influenza vaccine has been suspected to increase the risk of allograft rejection; however, not much is known about the effect of adjuvant H1N1 vaccination on allograft kidney function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adjuvant H1N1 vaccine on allograft kidney function. METHODS A total of 78 stable kidney transplant recipients were enrolled in the study. These patients were vaccinated with a pandemic adjuvant H1N1 inactivated intramuscular influenza vaccine. Local and systemic adverse reactions occurring for 2 weeks after vaccination were recorded. Serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, and 24-hour urine proteinuria were measured before and 1 and 3 months and 2.5 years after vaccination. RESULTS Mean patient age was 45 ± 14 years (range, 21-78 years). Serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, and 24-hour urine proteinuria levels were not significantly different between before and 1 month after vaccination (1.3 ± 0.35 vs 1.3 ± 0.5 mg/dL, 83 ± 28 vs 78 ± 31 mL/min, and 356 ± 437 vs 293 ± 307 mg, respectively). Serum creatinine level did not differ significantly between before and 2.5 years after vaccination (1.3 ± 0.35 vs 1.4 ± 0.39 mg/dL; P > .05). No rejection episodes occurred during 2.5 years of follow-up. Reported adverse reaction frequencies included pain (20%), muscle aches (4%), fever (2.6%), and headache (1.3%). CONCLUSIONS The use of pandemic adjuvant H1N1 influenza vaccination is safe in patients after kidney transplantation. However, larger cohort studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm this issue.