1. < Transplants

COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

Posted by jolinda @jolinda, Mar 14, 2020

As a kidney transplant recipient I have been extra vigilant/worried about protecting myself as COVID-19 spreads. Like most transplant patients I am used to washing my hands, carrying hand-sanitizer, avoiding sick people, getting flu shots, etc. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused me to take additional steps to try to remain safe but I am worried for my health. I would like to hear what you are doing to stay safe and how you are feeling.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 3, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@merpreb and all I am concerned, also, about the vaccine. Not only for my for my..." + (show)
@gingerw

@merpreb and all I am concerned, also, about the vaccine. Not only for my for my husband who has had his kidney just over 4 years now, but for me with my autoimmune conditions. We will be watching this very closely. I don't have a lot of confidence in his nephrologist, and I will be asking my specialists next week.
Ginger

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@gingerw- What a tough spot to be in if you don't have confidence in his nephrologist. Have you talked to your husband about this?

It's very frightening when there is some new medicine. I really hope that it will work, for everyone!

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 3, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@sueinmn- Can I jump in here? This vaccine is different in that it introduces, for the..." + (show)
@merpreb

@sueinmn- Can I jump in here? This vaccine is different in that it introduces, for the first time ever on humans, the mRNA-based vaccine.(the molecule which tells cells what to build) genetic material called mRNA inside a special coating so other proteins won't attack it. Once produced within the body, the antigen is recognized by the immune system, preparing it to fight the real thing. mRNA can most easily be described as instructions for the cell on how to make a piece of the “spike protein” that is unique to SARS-CoV-2. Since only part of the protein is made, it does not do any harm to the person vaccinated but it is antigenic. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/mrna-vaccine-basics.html

DNA based vaccines use a weakened or synthetic material vs the mRNA which have the actual live virus. This is needed because SARS-CoV-2 is an unknown virus to our bodies and an immune reaction needs to be activated in order to make this happen.

Since I am not a science major I hopefully haven't mess this explanation up too badly!

Here is more information
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/rna-vaccines-a-novel-technology-to-prevent-and-treat-disease/
https://www.phgfoundation.org/briefing/rna-vaccines

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Thank you - I understand mRNA vaccines better after reading this info carefully, now that they are a reality. If I were on immunosuppressant medication, I too would want to be sure it had been tested on people on this type of therapy.

However, the articles are very clear that the vaccine does not contain "live virus" like early smallpox & polio vaccines and the like, but rather a piece of the protein from the RNA to provoke the immune response.

My daughter and cousin are on immunosuppressants, so I will be watching this thread carefully.

Sue

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jolinda | @jolinda | Dec 3, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@sueinmn- Can I jump in here? This vaccine is different in that it introduces, for the..." + (show)
@merpreb

@sueinmn- Can I jump in here? This vaccine is different in that it introduces, for the first time ever on humans, the mRNA-based vaccine.(the molecule which tells cells what to build) genetic material called mRNA inside a special coating so other proteins won't attack it. Once produced within the body, the antigen is recognized by the immune system, preparing it to fight the real thing. mRNA can most easily be described as instructions for the cell on how to make a piece of the “spike protein” that is unique to SARS-CoV-2. Since only part of the protein is made, it does not do any harm to the person vaccinated but it is antigenic. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/mrna-vaccine-basics.html

DNA based vaccines use a weakened or synthetic material vs the mRNA which have the actual live virus. This is needed because SARS-CoV-2 is an unknown virus to our bodies and an immune reaction needs to be activated in order to make this happen.

Since I am not a science major I hopefully haven't mess this explanation up too badly!

Here is more information
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/rna-vaccines-a-novel-technology-to-prevent-and-treat-disease/
https://www.phgfoundation.org/briefing/rna-vaccines

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@merpreb

A big question is, will these antigens make a difference in how easy/hard it will be for us to find potential donor match if we need another transplant in the future?

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 3, 2020
In reply to @jolinda "@merpreb A big question is, will these antigens make a difference in how easy/hard it will..." + (show)
@jolinda

@merpreb

A big question is, will these antigens make a difference in how easy/hard it will be for us to find potential donor match if we need another transplant in the future?

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@jolinda - As you know these are such early, rushed days. I'm not sure if researchers have thought that far in advance. I wish that I had a better answer, but I'd just be speculating. Perhaps your doctor would have a better and more complete answer.

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guidant07 | @guidant07 | Dec 3, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "Hi Dana & @jolinda - I too would be cautious about finding out the safety for..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hi Dana & @jolinda -
I too would be cautious about finding out the safety for transplant patients before taking the vaccine - I wonder if anyone in the Mayo transplant department knows if there have been transplant recipients included in any trial?
But my question is - since the purpose of all the vaccines like flu, shingles and pneumonia is to provoke an immune response, is the Covid-19 vaccine any different?
Sue

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I just received s message back from my transplant Care Team on covid-19 vaccine for transplant patients. There is currently no vaccine approved for transplant patients. Mayo will notify me/ keep me updated. On information regarding vaccination for transplant patients.

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3 replies
scottij | @scottij | Dec 3, 2020

I am not sure why there is so much hub-bub around the Covid-19 vaccines, transplants (heart for me), and guidance from Mayo. My transplant team in Phoenix has been very clear from day one that:
1. In general do not take anything without checking with the transplant team first
2. In specifics, do not take a Covid-19 vaccine until Mayo tells you to do so.
Seems very clear to me.

That said, I understand people are anxious and information can relieve the anxiety. Yet given my success with the new heart I trust Mayo. Remember, when you walk in the lobby you see the big message that says "the needs of the patient come first".
Best always,
s!

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2 replies
jolinda | @jolinda | Dec 3, 2020
In reply to @guidant07 "I just received s message back from my transplant Care Team on covid-19 vaccine for transplant..." + (show)
@guidant07

I just received s message back from my transplant Care Team on covid-19 vaccine for transplant patients. There is currently no vaccine approved for transplant patients. Mayo will notify me/ keep me updated. On information regarding vaccination for transplant patients.

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Thank you for getting this information and sharing it with us! Very helpful @guidant07 ♥️.

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guidant07 | @guidant07 | Dec 3, 2020
In reply to @scottij "I am not sure why there is so much hub-bub around the Covid-19 vaccines, transplants (heart..." + (show)
@scottij

I am not sure why there is so much hub-bub around the Covid-19 vaccines, transplants (heart for me), and guidance from Mayo. My transplant team in Phoenix has been very clear from day one that:
1. In general do not take anything without checking with the transplant team first
2. In specifics, do not take a Covid-19 vaccine until Mayo tells you to do so.
Seems very clear to me.

That said, I understand people are anxious and information can relieve the anxiety. Yet given my success with the new heart I trust Mayo. Remember, when you walk in the lobby you see the big message that says "the needs of the patient come first".
Best always,
s!

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You are right! My Rochester transplant Care Team is very helpful and after 40 yrs with my dad's kidney I don't take chances. Love my patient portal. The team is very good about getting back to me when I have questions

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Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Dec 3, 2020
In reply to @guidant07 "I just received s message back from my transplant Care Team on covid-19 vaccine for transplant..." + (show)
@guidant07

I just received s message back from my transplant Care Team on covid-19 vaccine for transplant patients. There is currently no vaccine approved for transplant patients. Mayo will notify me/ keep me updated. On information regarding vaccination for transplant patients.

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@guidant07 Thank You for some info on this and to @scottij yes i also agree i always have had positive response from my care team. The issue I mostly want is some confidence that the powers to be are saying to do certain things it will be mandatory. So before this issue comes up for real I would like some information on how Mayo is thinking and that what my doctor advises is not hamperd by others. As they say Information is power. Right now I could not say to say an airline I can't take the vaccine based on my doctor so I would like to be confident of the position of my.doctors.
Thanks All great info and more to follow.
Blessings
Dana

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 4, 2020
In reply to @scottij "I am not sure why there is so much hub-bub around the Covid-19 vaccines, transplants (heart..." + (show)
@scottij

I am not sure why there is so much hub-bub around the Covid-19 vaccines, transplants (heart for me), and guidance from Mayo. My transplant team in Phoenix has been very clear from day one that:
1. In general do not take anything without checking with the transplant team first
2. In specifics, do not take a Covid-19 vaccine until Mayo tells you to do so.
Seems very clear to me.

That said, I understand people are anxious and information can relieve the anxiety. Yet given my success with the new heart I trust Mayo. Remember, when you walk in the lobby you see the big message that says "the needs of the patient come first".
Best always,
s!

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@scottij- Good morning. It's a very crazy and frightening time for a lot of people. This often leads to forgetting things were once told to you at the beginning of your journey. I'm glad that you understand this and this is why there is a lot of hub-bubs.

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