CVS Kidney Care
Important vaccines for people with CKD
People living with chronic illnesses such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at higher risk for complications if they become sick due to an illness such as the flu. You might also take medications that affect your immune system. This makes you less able to fight off illness. By getting vaccinated, you can help protect yourself and stay healthier. Plus, vaccines help protect people around you from illness, too.
Although vaccines are proven to be very safe, there are some people who should not get certain types of vaccines depending on how they are made. For example, people who have had a kidney transplant can’t have what are called “live” vaccines because they may interfere with post-transplant medications.
We’ve listed a few important vaccines below. Always, talk to your health care team before you get any vaccine.
Types of vaccines
Influenza
This yearly vaccine protects against infections from various flu viruses. New versions of the vaccine are created each year because the virus changes every year. Some people think the flu is harmless, but it can be very dangerous for older people and those with illnesses, such as CKD.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide
This vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal diseases, which often require hospitalization and can be deadly. The bacteria that causes these infections is spread by person-to-person contact. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine, and your doctor or pharmacist will help decide which one is right for you. People with chronic conditions should get vaccinated every five years.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
Whooping cough (also called pertussis) isn’t just a kids’ disease — it affects adults, too. This vaccine protects against whooping cough, as well as diphtheria and tetanus. The first dose is given and is then followed up with a tetanus and dyptheria (Td) vaccine booster every 10 years.
Hepatitis A
This vaccine prevents a highly contagious liver infection caused by this virus. It spreads from contaminated food or water, or from contact with someone who is infected.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
This vaccine protects against HBV. HBV attacks the liver and can cause infection, scarring, liver cancer, and liver failure. This vaccine is given once in a lifetime in a series of two or three doses, depending on your age.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases. It’s recommended if you were born in 1957 or later or don’t have immunity to these diseases. Some adults may need two doses of this vaccine.
Chickenpox (varicella)
This vaccine protects against chickenpox, a very contagious viral disease. It’s recommended if you were born in 1980 or later, or if you don’t have immunity to the disease. The vaccine is given in two doses.
Shingles (herpes zoster)
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful rash that can cause long-lasting discomfort for months or even years. This vaccine is recommended for people with CKD aged 60 and older. It’s typically given in two doses, between two and six months apart.
Although shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, they are not the same illness. So, you need to get vaccinated for both chickenpox and shingles.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect against strains of the virus that cause COVID-19, which can require hospitalization and can be deadly. We do not know if this vaccine will be required every year because it is so new. Talk to your health care team or visit cdc.gov for the most up-to-date information.
CVS Health does not operate the websites/organizations listed here, nor is it responsible for the availability or reliability of their content. These listings do not imply or constitute an endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation by CVS Health.
All content is the property of CVS Health. The information provided is not a substitute for the medical diagnosis, treatment and/or instructions provided by health care providers.©2021 CVS Kidney Care, LLC. All rights reserved. 26-54725A 051221