News

Nights are getting shorter; the leaves are changing colour - fall is in the air.  It’s also the time of year when colds, flus and other illnesses are on the rise. People living with kidney disease are at higher risk from severe illness from the flu, RSV and COVID-19, and may be more susceptible to other infections, including some respiratory infections. Ensuring your vaccinations are up to date is a good first step in ensuring that you and your family stay safe during respiratory illness season.    

The Ontario Government has indicated that flu, COVID-19 vaccines and expanded RSV immunization program are expected by early October for those at risk, with the general roll out of the flu vaccine taking place later in the month.  Your renal team is the best resource available to answer your questions and provide information, strategies, and resources to help. Anyone can catch the flu, so it’s important to protect yourself and others.  Get your flu shot as early as possible as soon as it is available to you.  

According to the Living with Kidney Disease patient handbook, it is recommended that all people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD) receive a flu vaccine once a year unless their healthcare team advises otherwise.  Kidney transplant recipients should speak to their team as there are some special considerations for kidney transplant recipients.  

In addition, it’s also recommended that everyone diagnosed with CKD and ESKD ensure that they receive the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine boosters.  The pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended to prevent severe forms of pneumonia. This vaccine is given once and then repeated in five years.   Some renal patients (over age 60) may be eligible to receive the RSV vaccine.  Talk to your healthcare team to learn more. 

The Ontario Renal Network has a Q&A to help answer some frequently asked questions.  

Sources: https://kidney.ca/Support/Resources/Living-With-Kidney-Failure-6th-Ed -   

https://www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts   

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005030/ontario-enhancing-tools-to-help-people-prepare-for-respiratory-illness-season