Safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with quiescent disease.

to assess the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to evaluate the influence of immunosuppressive drugs on the immune response. SLE patients (n=56) and healthy controls (n=18) were studied. All patients had quiescent disease (SLE disease activity indexor=40 against A/H3N2 (p=0.030) compared with the other patient groups. Influenza vaccination in SLE patients with quiescent disease is safe but is less effective than in controls. Use of azathioprine was associated with a trend to decreased vaccination efficacy.