Flu Vaccines Good with HIV

posted: 12/01/2011

People with HIV are strongly recommended to have an annual flu jab, following a recent study. Swine flu (or H1N1 flu) hasn’t gone away, and the flu vaccine being given to people this winter protects against this.

Some new studies have shown that vaccination against flu works well and is safe for people with HIV.
 

The studies show

• vaccination produces protective antibodies against flu
• better levels of protection come if you have a booster dose
• rates of flu were much lower among people vaccinated
• CD4 cell count is not affected
• viral load stays stable.

Flu jab : Strongly recommended with HIV 
The research results show recommending vaccination of people with HIV is “justified” and they strongly recommend that people should contact their GP and ask for the vaccination.
 

In the UK flu jabs are available from GPs. HIV clinics can provide advice on dealing with swine flu and being vaccinated.

The NHS Choices website allows you to search the database of all GPs.

Source