Sign in Subscribe
COVID-19

Low Vaccination Rates Among People with Chronic Kidney Disease despite High Perception of Vaccine Benefits

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) continue to have low vaccination rates against influenza and COVID-19 despite a high perception among healthcare providers of the benefits of vaccination. A recent study published in the American Journal of Nephrology found that while most nephrology care providers agree that there is sufficient evidence for influenza vaccines and that vaccines reduce the risk of serious complications of influenza, a significant number of providers feel that recommending vaccination is less important than other issues they must address. Furthermore, many providers believe that patients will not get vaccinated even if they recommend it, highlighting a lack of self-efficacy in promoting vaccination.

Key Takeaways:

  • 40/312 (12.8%) nephrology care providers felt that recommending influenza vaccines is less important than other issues they must address.
  • 95/311 (30.5%) providers believed that many patients will not get vaccinated even if they recommend it.
  • 209/235 (88.9%), 197/224 (87.9%), and 183/222 (82.4%) providers considered provider reminders acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for influenza, COVID-19, and standing orders, respectively.
  • Physicians agreed more strongly with the evidence for influenza vaccines (112/123 or 91.1% vs. 39/49 or 79.5% for NPs and 83/101 or 82.2% for RNs, p = 0.007).
  • Standing orders, provider reminders, and onsite/walk-in vaccination are favorably perceived by providers.
  • Fewer than 33% of providers perceived patient incentives as acceptable, appropriate, or feasible.

Statistics:

  • 312 providers responded to the nationwide survey on nephrology care provider perceptions about recommending influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
  • 270/311 (86.8%) providers agreed that there is sufficient evidence for influenza vaccines.
  • 277/310 (89.4%) providers believed that vaccines reduce the risk of serious complications of influenza.
  • 95/311 (30.5%) providers felt that many patients will not get vaccinated even if they recommend it.
  • 209/235 (88.9%) providers considered provider reminders acceptable for influenza vaccines.

Sources:

  • Nephrology Provider Perceptions About Recommending Influenza and Covid-19 Vaccines: a Nationwide Survey, published in the American Journal of Nephrology, 2025:1-25.
  • NewsRx. Studies from Johns Hopkins University Provide New Data on COVID-19 (Nephrology Provider Perceptions About Recommending Influenza and Covid-19 Vaccines: a Nationwide Survey). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. July 20, 2025; p 212.

Read more