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Protecting Your Health: Vaccines & Kidney Disease

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Kidney Disease Weakens Immunity

• Higher risk of severe infections (flu, pneumonia, COVID-19, hepatitis B).

People with kidney disease have

Vaccines Protect

• Boost immune defenses.
• Lower risk of hospitalization and death.
• Protects patients, families, and caregivers.

Stay Protected this Flu Season: Key Vaccines for People with Kidney Disease

For a full list of Recommended Vaccines for adults with CKD, on dialysis or had a transplant click here.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Flu Vaccine

(RSV) Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Pneumococcal (pneumonia) Vaccine

Fact vs. Fiction: Vaccines & CKD

There are many myths about vaccines and kidney diesase, here are some facts you need to know.

Vaccines can give me the disease.Vaccines train your immune system - they don't cause illness.

Myth:

Fact:

Vaccines interfere with my kidney medicines or dialysis. Most vaccines are safe and recommended. Doctors adjust timing if needed.

Myth:

Fact:

I don't need vaccines because I'm careful. CKD weakens immunity, so infections are harder to fight even if you're cautious.

Myth:

Fact:

Take Action

Talk with your kidney doctor about which vaccines are right for you.

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This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for the medical advice of a healthcare professional.

Flu Vaccine (Influenza)

Prevents flu, which can cause severe illness, and hospital stays in people with kidney diesase.

• People who have advanced CKD or kidney failure (on dialysis)
• 1 dose recommended every year
• NOTE: avoid the live (nasal) version of the vaccine if possible
• People who are immunocompromised (including kidney and other solid organ transplant recipients)
• 1 dose recommended every year
• NOTE: the nasal (nose spray) version is a live vaccine, it is not recommended for people who are immunocompromised. A flu shot is recommended instead

Pneumococcal (pneumonia) Vaccine

Prevents pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections that are more common in CKD.

• People with advanced CKD, kidney failure (on dialysis) or are immunocompromised (including kidney or other solid organ transplant recipients)

COVID-19 Vaccine

Prevents severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, which is more dangerous for people with kidney disease.

• Adults 12+ years, not immunocompromised
• 1 dose of the updated Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Novavax vaccine.
• If it’s your first time getting Novavax → you need 2 doses.
• Adults 12+ years, immunocompromised (including many with CKD, dialysis, or transplant)
• You may need more doses (2–3 depending on vaccine type and history).
• Extra doses are spaced a few weeks apart to build stronger protection.
• If you’ve had prior COVID-19 vaccines, your doctor will guide how many additional updated doses you need.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

This vaccine prevents serious lung infections from RSV in older adults, infants, and high-risk toddlers.

• Recommended for all adults who are 75 years of age or older
• Adults over the age of 60, with advanced CKD, kidney failure (on dialysis) or are immunocompromised (including kidney or other solid organ transplant recipients) are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. Ask your healthcare professional if this vaccine is appropriate for you.