Optimizing the immunogenicity of pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine in adult organ transplant patients

Abstract

Pandemic H1N1 influenza presented a significant threat to vulnerable immunocompromised hosts. Vaccination provided the best method of prevention, both for individuals and for herd immunity. Numerous studies have shown that the antibody response to pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine in adult organ transplant patients is diminished compared with normal hosts. Techniques to improve response to influenza vaccination, including multiple doses, use of adjuvants, different delivery methods and doses have been investigated in transplant patients. The recent article in Transplant International by Felldin et al. evaluating the humoral immune response to two serial doses of pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine in adult organ transplant recipients is reviewed.

Keywords::

• adjuvant
• H1N1 influenza
• immunocompromised host
• transplant
• vaccine

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.