Vaccination Recommendations in Solid Organ Transplant Adult Candidates and Recipients

Abstract

Prevention of infections is crucial in solid organ transplant (SOT) candidates and recipients. These patients are exposed to an increased infectious risk due to previous organ insufficiency and to pharmacologic immunosuppression. Besides infectious-related morbidity and mortality, this vulnerable group of patients is also exposed to the risk of acute decompensation and organ rejection or failure in the pre- and post-transplant period, respectively, since antimicrobial treatments are less effective than in the immunocompetent patients. Vaccination represents a major preventive measure against specific infectious risks in this population but as responses to vaccines are reduced, especially in the early post-transplant period or after treatment for rejection, an optimal vaccination status should be obtained prior to transplantation whenever possible. This review reports the currently available data on the indications and protocols of vaccination in SOT adult candidates and recipients.

The Long-Term Immunogenicity of mRNABNT162b Third Vaccine Dose in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

“…Our observed differences between LuT-Rs and KT-Rs in humoral response could be due to the different induction therapies and the time since transplantation. These assumptions are in line with other studies on influenza vaccine showing a lower antibody response in Lu-TRs between 13 and 60 months post-transplant compared to those before transplant [33].…”

Pregnancy after kidney and liver transplantation

“…International guidelines and recommendations are therefore usually followed. [60] Women contemplating pregnancy after a transplant should have their vaccination status confirmed, and outstanding vaccinations should be administered as appropriate. Annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations should be administered, considering the risks associated with these diseases in both pregnant women and transplant recipients.…”