Vaccine safety in HIV-infected adults within the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project

Vaccine. 2019 May 31;37(25):3296-3302. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.04.080. Epub 2019 May 4.

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluate safety of routine vaccination among adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in five healthcare organizations in the United States.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected adults who received inactivated influenza vaccines, hepatitis B vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines, or tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccines between 2002 and 2013. We conducted self-controlled case series analysis to estimate the relative risk (RR) for 11 pre-specified adverse events (AEs) requiring medical attention.

Results: Among 20,417 HIV-infected adults (90.2% male), a total of 137,674 vaccine doses were administered. Based on ICD-9 codes, we detected an increased risk of cellulitis and infection (RR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.35) among all patients, and an increased risk of stroke/cerebrovascular diseases among patients with an HIV viral load >10,000 copies/ml (adjusted RR: 3.94, 95% CI: 1.32-11.72). Further analyses on chart confirmed cases of stroke/cerebrovascular diseases indicated no statistically significant increased risk (adjusted RR: 1.72, 95% CI: 0.41-7.24). There was no evidence of increased risk for other AEs following routine vaccination in HIV-infected adults.

Conclusions: Routinely administered vaccines are generally safe for HIV-infected adults.

Keywords: HIV; Vaccine Safety Datalink; Vaccine safety.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / etiology
  • Electronic Health Records
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Influenza Vaccines / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stroke / etiology
  • United States
  • Vaccination / adverse effects*
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*
  • Vaccines / adverse effects*
  • Vaccines, Combined / adverse effects
  • Vaccines, Inactivated / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Inactivated / adverse effects
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Combined
  • Vaccines, Inactivated