African-Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus more responsive to flu vaccine than patients of European descent

New research shows that African-Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had a higher antibody response to influenza vaccination than European American patients. Treatment with prednisone, a history of hemolytic anemia, and increased disease flares were also linked to low antibody response in SLE patients who received the flu vaccine according to the study.