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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 4, 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- This must be very disappointing to you. These are very early days for COVID-19 vaccines. Mayo will most likely be one of the first to research this.

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Dec 4, 2020

Let us remember that the FDA has not yet officially approved of any of the vaccines for COVID19. It is unrealistic to expect a recommendation of any unapproved vaccine or medication during This pandemic or anytime.
I am confident, as I have stated in many previous posts, that Mayo and all of the other transplant centers are doing research.
Let’s not put the cart in front of the horse. Let’s practice our self care and patiently wait.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 4, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "Let us remember that the FDA has not yet officially approved of any of the vaccines..." + (show)
@rosemarya

Let us remember that the FDA has not yet officially approved of any of the vaccines for COVID19. It is unrealistic to expect a recommendation of any unapproved vaccine or medication during This pandemic or anytime.
I am confident, as I have stated in many previous posts, that Mayo and all of the other transplant centers are doing research.
Let’s not put the cart in front of the horse. Let’s practice our self care and patiently wait.

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Great reminder Rosemary - except some of us are not very good at waiting patiently...
Sue

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 4, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "Let us remember that the FDA has not yet officially approved of any of the vaccines..." + (show)
@rosemarya

Let us remember that the FDA has not yet officially approved of any of the vaccines for COVID19. It is unrealistic to expect a recommendation of any unapproved vaccine or medication during This pandemic or anytime.
I am confident, as I have stated in many previous posts, that Mayo and all of the other transplant centers are doing research.
Let’s not put the cart in front of the horse. Let’s practice our self care and patiently wait.

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I'm with Sue on this one. Great response-

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Kristin Eggebraaten | @keggebraaten | Dec 4, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "Let us remember that the FDA has not yet officially approved of any of the vaccines..." + (show)
@rosemarya

Let us remember that the FDA has not yet officially approved of any of the vaccines for COVID19. It is unrealistic to expect a recommendation of any unapproved vaccine or medication during This pandemic or anytime.
I am confident, as I have stated in many previous posts, that Mayo and all of the other transplant centers are doing research.
Let’s not put the cart in front of the horse. Let’s practice our self care and patiently wait.

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Hi all, Rosemary is correct. Please know that Mayo Clinic is on top of this situation and your transplant teams are waiting for the official word that a vaccine is ready. Once that happens, the teams will need to gather to study the vaccine science of the ones released to be sure they are appropriate for you. This process takes time, so if the FDA releases authorization tomorrow, please don't expect to hear from your transplant team on Monday. They are waiting for guidance from the experts and officials, and then I am certain for those who are Mayo Clinic patients, we will have a statement that your teams will send to you. When that happens, we will certainly give a statement in this group. Just remember, the doctor caring for you should be the one you get your information from. We will provide a general statement here once one is available, but you should never do any new vaccines without consulting with your own care team. We are all impatiently waiting as this has been such a long haul. There's an end in sight - just try to be patient just a bit longer.

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JK | @contentandwell | Dec 4, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "Like the rest of you, I am keeping an eye out for information about the COVID19..." + (show)
@rosemarya

Like the rest of you, I am keeping an eye out for information about the COVID19 Vaccine and it's safety for transplant recipients.

I find confidence in recalling what was told to me during my annual post transplant check-up in June when I inquired about potential vaccines: "...the transplant experts are closely watching and studying vaccines for their effect on transplant patients". As I have said on many occasions, I trust Mayo to provide the information when the vaccines are approved. Until then, we wait patiently...and we can expect to continue waiting patiently while we Wash hands, Wear masks, and keep a Safe Distance. Isn't that what we learned at the beginning of out transplant living?

Here is a Mayo Clinic Podcast that explains about 2 of the vaccine candidates that are currently in the headlines. In the first part Dr. Poland explains about how the RNA vaccine will work and at the end is a helpful message about holiday baking! Grab a comfy seat while you learn and listen to the experts - How messenger RNA vaccines work
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/newsfeed-post/how-messenger-rna-vaccines-work/

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@rosemarya I too place my trust in my transplant team which is at Mass General. On the whole, I think they are somewhat more conservative than most transplant teams so I feel if they are in favor of my getting vaccinated I definitely will.

I think we all need to have that trust in our transplant teams. From my experience, they are extremely caring and truly want what is best for their patients. They are incredibly diligent.

I sure hope that my transplant team says OK! It is a bit scary if we are among the early recipients but I think England being ahead of us is a benefit to us.

@gingerw Does your husband have confidence in his nephrologist? If not is there a way he can change doctors? I would hate to not feel confident in a doctor who plays such an important role in my healthcare.

@guidant07 Isn't that "There is currently no vaccine approved for transplant patients" simply because there is no vaccine yet approved by the FDA? This is not explicitly saying that the vaccines that are in the process of getting FDA approval are not appropriate for transplant patients, I presume.
JK

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1 reply
Charlie | @ca426 | Dec 4, 2020

I'm a little weary of the vaccines, one or, not sure on the number have never been used in human population Mrna. vaccine

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guidant07 | @guidant07 | Dec 4, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@guidant07- This must be very disappointing to you. These are very early days for COVID-19 vaccines...." + (show)
@merpreb

@guidant07- This must be very disappointing to you. These are very early days for COVID-19 vaccines. Mayo will most likely be one of the first to research this.

Jump to this post

I am just thankful that there will be a vaccine for our nurses and other health care professionals! I will continue to do everything to keep me safe from getting covid-19.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 4, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@rosemarya I too place my trust in my transplant team which is at Mass General. On..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@rosemarya I too place my trust in my transplant team which is at Mass General. On the whole, I think they are somewhat more conservative than most transplant teams so I feel if they are in favor of my getting vaccinated I definitely will.

I think we all need to have that trust in our transplant teams. From my experience, they are extremely caring and truly want what is best for their patients. They are incredibly diligent.

I sure hope that my transplant team says OK! It is a bit scary if we are among the early recipients but I think England being ahead of us is a benefit to us.

@gingerw Does your husband have confidence in his nephrologist? If not is there a way he can change doctors? I would hate to not feel confident in a doctor who plays such an important role in my healthcare.

@guidant07 Isn't that "There is currently no vaccine approved for transplant patients" simply because there is no vaccine yet approved by the FDA? This is not explicitly saying that the vaccines that are in the process of getting FDA approval are not appropriate for transplant patients, I presume.
JK

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@contentandwell My husband is having no problems, so he doesn't want to change. He is not thrilled about the manner he is treated.
Ginger

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 7, 2020
In reply to @ca426 "I'm a little weary of the vaccines, one or, not sure on the number have never..." + (show)
@ca426

I'm a little weary of the vaccines, one or, not sure on the number have never been used in human population Mrna. vaccine

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@ca426- These are extremely scary times for everyone. And there is no guarantee from anyone how long any vaccine will last or of any long term side effects. This happens with all vaccines. However, with the COVID-19 it's been a much shorter time than history shows to even come up with what has shown to be promising vaccines. I have felt very little hope this past year. I have Stage 4 lung cancer it has scared the life out of me. But unless a majority of people are vaccinated the chances of getting this under control and hopefully stopping it won't stand much of a chance.

Have you had any reactions to vaccines that might influence your hesitation?

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