Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination

Does Educating and Debunking Myths Concerning the Influenza Vaccine Improve Vaccination Rates in HIV Patients at the Medical College of Georgia?

Siddiqui B^* Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Georgia, USA
^*Correspondence: Siddiqui B, Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Georgia, USA, Email:

Received: 11-Jan-2022, Manuscript No. JVV-22-15441; Editor assigned: 13-Jan-2022, Pre QC No. JVV-22-15441 (PQ); Reviewed: 27-Jan-2022, QC No. JVV-22-15441; Revised: 03-Feb-2022, Manuscript No. JVV-22-15441 (R); Published: 10-Feb-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2155-9627.22.13.472

Introduction

The risk for influenza-related death is estimated to be 9.4 to 14.6 per 10,000 in persons with AIDS, compared with 0.09 to 0.10 per 10,000 among all persons 25 to 54 years of age, and 6.4 to seven per 10,000 among persons 65 years of age and older [1]. Influenza symptoms may be prolonged, and the risk for complications from influenza may be increased. HIV infection may predispose individuals to increased susceptibility to influenza infection, prolonged viral replication and shedding, longer duration of influenza symptomatology and higher influenza-related mortality [2-4]. Influenza was responsible for at least 40% of all febrile respiratory illnesses among an influenza-vaccinated outpatient population of HIV-infected patients over two consecutive influenza seasons. Ninety per cent of these patients were on Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), with a median CD4 count of 325 cells/μL and an HIV RNA level below 50 copies/mL [5]. Studies have shown that educating patients about the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination have improved patient vaccine acceptance [6]. This study sought to determine whether educating HIV patients at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) regarding the influenza vaccine improved vaccine acceptance.

Materials and Methods

HIV patients at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) who refused the influenza vaccine were invited to participate in a survey. The survey consisted of information regarding the safety and efficacy of the influenza vaccine in HIV patients (see pamphlet below).

1. HIV-infected persons are at greater risk for prolonged hospitalization, severe illnesses including death related to influenza than non-HIV patients [7].

2. In general, HIV patients without AIDS defining illness or near- normal CD4⁺ T lymphocyte cell counts who receive the Inactivated Influenza Vaccine c develop adequate antibody responses [8].

3. Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) administered in HIV-infected adults did not result in potential adverse events [9].

4. In a large study from 1990-2016, there were no adverse reactions or vaccine safety concerns among HIV-positive persons [10].

5. Getting vaccinated may also protect others including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies, children, seniors and people with weaker immune systems.

6. Flu can be caused by many other viruses which we do not have vaccines for.

7. It is better to get the vaccine than to get infected with the flu virus because that would be a risk for hospitalization/death.

8. It is necessary to get the vaccine each year because the immune response declines over time.

9. Serious allergic reactions to flu vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

10. It is not too late to get vaccinated, even in January or later.

The survey then inquired whether they changed their mind becoming agreeable to receive the influenza vaccine (Table 1).

Table 1: Did the influenza pamphlet make me want to take the vaccine? True or false and why?

Results

Only 12 out of 26 (46%) of patients were persuaded by the information and became willing to receive the vaccine. Of the patients who changed their mind becoming agreeable to receive the influenza vaccine, only two said it was due to them having a misunderstanding about the vaccine effectiveness. Six patients had a misunderstanding about the vaccine side effects and four patients wanted to prevent others from getting sick with the flu. Of the 14 patients who did not change their mind still refusing the vaccine, nine said they will take their chances with getting sick with influenza. Four still felt that influenza is not so dangerous and only one was not convinced that the vaccine worked.

Discussion

HIV-infected persons are at greater risk for prolonged hospitalization, severe illnesses including death related to influenza than non-HIV patients [7]. In general, HIV patients without AIDS defining illness or near-normal CD4⁺ T lymphocyte cell counts who receive the Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (IIV) develop adequate antibody responses [8]. Inactivated influenza vaccine administered in HIVinfected adults did not result in potential adverse events [9]. In a large study from 1990-2016, there were no adverse reactions or vaccine safety concerns among HIV-positive persons [10]. This study is limited as a single-center, small sample size.

Conclusion

This study highlights the need for further efforts to increase influenza vaccine acceptance amongst the HIV population in the MCG. Further efforts to educate and persuade HIV patients to receive the influenza vaccine are needed to prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza.

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