H1N1 vaccine guidelines for people living with HIV/AIDS (Updated 2010)

Key take-home messages

• Although there is no specific data on the safety and effectiveness of the H1N1 vaccine — or seasonal flu vaccines — among people with HIV/AIDS, there is also no evidence of increased risk.
• Previous studies on seasonal flu vaccines have indicated that people with HIV/AIDS may be at increased risk of having a poor immune response to the standard 15 microgram dose of seasonal flu vaccine.
• Similar studies have shown that people with HIV/AIDS who received the larger dose of seasonal flu vaccine, had enhanced protective immune response. Clinical trials are underway to determine whether or not a larger dose of the H1N1 vaccine will be more effective than the standard dose among HIV/AIDS positive pregnant women and youths in the US.
• The US, Canadian, Australian and UK governments all recommend that people with chronic illness — including people with HIV/AIDS — get the H1N1 vaccine.
• These recommendations caution that the risk of potential side effects of H1N1 influenza among people with chronic illness, greatly outweigh any possible side effects of the H1N1 vaccine that are known at this time.

• Population(s)
  • General HIV+ population
• Co-infections
  • Other