Transplant societies release joint statement recommending COVID-19 vaccinations
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
The American Society of Transplant Surgeons, the American Society of Transplantation and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation recommend organ transplant patients be vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a joint statement, the societies reviewed what has been learned regarding COVID-19 vaccines in the past 2 years. Although transplant recipients experience a weaker response to COVID-19 vaccines compared with the general population, three doses of the mRNA vaccination correlate with “improved rates of serum neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants in transplant recipients [vs. two]-dose vaccination,” the societies wrote in the statement.
“We strongly recommend that all eligible children and adult transplant candidates and recipients be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine that is approved or authorized in their jurisdiction. Whenever possible, vaccination should occur prior to transplantation (ideally with completion of vaccine series a minimum of 2 weeks prior to transplant),” the societies wrote. “Solid organ transplant recipients that have received 2-dose mRNA vaccine should also receive a third dose of mRNA vaccine to complete the primary series.”
The societies also suggested that eligible members of patients’ households and all health care providers be vaccinated to create a safe environment for patients and others.
“We strongly urge funding agencies to invest in research evaluating vaccine immunogenicity, vaccine effectiveness and strategies to enhance vaccine responses in vulnerable populations, including solid organ transplant candidates and recipients, who may fuel the perpetuation of the pandemic,” the societies concluded.
Read more about
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts