COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

Here is info I received on my portal. Hope it helps
Dear Thomas Allyn Thulin,

On behalf of our Transplant Center we wanted to share the following FAQs about COVID-19 vaccines. There are still many unknowns, but vaccines offer a new tool to prevent COVID-19 infection.

When should transplant recipients or transplant candidates receive the vaccine?

Transplant candidates (patients waiting for transplant) should receive the vaccine as soon as it is available to them, as the antibody response is likely to be better before transplantation.

Transplant recipients (patients who have received a transplant) should receive the vaccine as soon as it is available, generally waiting 1-3 months after transplantation, depending on the type of anti-rejection medications received at the time of transplantation. If you have received treatment for rejection in the past 3 months please reach out to your transplant team for advice on timing of vaccination.

Different states will have different allocation plans for vaccine prioritization and distribution. In general, the first supplies of vaccine will be going to healthcare workers, skilled nursing facility workers and nursing facility residents. It is expected that other essential workers and high-risk patients (like transplant candidates and recipients) would be the next groups to be offered the vaccine, based on guidance from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Mayo Clinic does not yet have information on when the vaccine would be available for high-risk patients, but this information will be shared once details are known. Those who are able to obtain the vaccine locally, from the state they reside in, are encouraged to do so once the vaccine is available.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Multiple vaccines are undergoing clinical trials to evaluate their safety and efficacy. At this time, two vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) have been granted the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the US Food and Drug Authorization (FDA). Both of these vaccines are mRNA based, and require 2 doses to be effective.

These vaccines, similar to other common vaccines, can cause fevers, muscle aches, and headaches. Most of these effects are mild to moderate in severity, but some may be severe enough to briefly limit activities. These effects typically resolve within 1-2 days.

The safety of mRNA vaccines is still under investigation in solid organ transplant recipients. Based on their mechanism of action, they are unlikely to trigger rejection episodes, but we will continue to carefully monitor for any unexpected effects in transplant recipients.

Are these vaccines effective for transplant patients?

Both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines were very effective in a large group of people with essentially normal immune systems. No transplant recipients were included in these clinical trials. The effectiveness was similar in patients older than 65 years of age. Importantly, less severe disease was noted if a breakthrough infection occurred after vaccination. We do not know how long this protection will last after getting the vaccine and we do not know the efficacy of these vaccines in transplant patients. Solid organ transplant recipients may have a lower antibody response than those without transplants. More study is needed in this area. However, the expert consensus opinion from the American Society of Transplantation, the American Society of Transplant Surgeons and the NIH is that transplant candidates and recipients should receive the vaccine.

Precautions after COVID vaccine for the transplant patients

It is possible that the vaccine is less effective in people who are getting immunosuppressive medications, like transplant recipients. Transplant patients and their families should continue practicing social distancing, use of face coverings when facing people outside of their households, and hand-washing as the most effective way of avoiding COVID-19 infection.

I hope this helps answer any questions that you have about the vaccine but please let us know if not. Please let us know if there is anything else we can help with.

Thank you for using Patient Online Services and have a great day.

Cassy Williams, RN, CCTC
Your Transplant Care Team

----- Message -----
From:Thomas Allyn Thulin
Sent:1/12/2021 9:24 AM CST
To:Katherine M Linnen
Subject:Non-Urgent Medical Question

Good Morning Katie,
Government just announced that those 65 and older should start being vaccinated for covid-19. My question to you is the vaccinations safe for transplant patients?

Look forward to your advice
Tom thulin

Hi all-
I received my liver transplant at Mayo Jax 4.5 years ago.
Last week I received the initial Pfizer inoculation, with no real impact (sore arm for 24h).
Given the information that, due to our immunosuppressive drugs (in my case 3 mg Tacro daily), the vaccine will have reduced impact, I wonder if antibody labs wouldn’t make sense? My thoughts are if we develop little or no immune response, our precautions need to stay very strict. I hate perhaps developing a false sense of done security, just because I took the vaccine, when it really had lityke or no impact.
Just curious as to what others thoughts may be.
Take care,
Ken

I don’t think anyone knows at the moment as no one has confirmed if any post transplant people were in the initial vaccine trials. John Hopkins has embarked on a major study of antibody buildup in post transplant people who receive a vaccine. So hopefully that will reveal some conclusive results.

Hello @kedwards73 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Congratulations on your successful liver transplant at Mayo Jacksonville!

I think you bring up a good question with regard to being on immunosuppressive drugs and how that may impact your protection going forward. The communication @guidant07 posted speaks to what is known and unknown but also to the recommendation as this time. I suspect there will be additional information that will follow in the coming weeks and months to shed more light on anticipated levels of protection and future recommendations. I am not a medical provider, however.

In the meantime, and following your first dose, what was the recommendation your doctor shared with you in terms of staying protected and vigilant?

I. Had a kidney transplant, the duration:13 years. I am now 18 and a half years right now, will be 19 years in a few months
And I haven't had covid at all.
I don't want to take the vaccine. I am also on immunosuppressives. There are only 8 people in the world who aren't taking immunosuppressants at all.
I have standing orders from my nephrologist, when I'm ready to make a appointment.
I'm very careful, washing my hands, using sanitizer,and the other precautions mentioned here. I don't get the flu shot at all. But I do take vegan Vitamin D, vegan Vitamin B12 ,vegan Moringa, and vegan Omega-3

Everyone here:
Stay Safe, Be Well

Yes.God is good all the time. And all the time His is Good.
I pray everyday.
He's The Great Physician!

Hi all-
I received my liver transplant at Mayo Jax 4.5 years ago.
Last week I received the initial Pfizer inoculation, with no real impact (sore arm for 24h).
Given the information that, due to our immunosuppressive drugs (in my case 3 mg Tacro daily), the vaccine will have reduced impact, I wonder if antibody labs wouldn’t make sense? My thoughts are if we develop little or no immune response, our precautions need to stay very strict. I hate perhaps developing a false sense of done security, just because I took the vaccine, when it really had lityke or no impact.
Just curious as to what others thoughts may be.
Take care,
Ken

@kedwards73, Hi and Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am a transplant recipient, and I will be getting my 1st dose of Covid-19 vaccine tomorrow. I am excited that my name "finally" came to the top of the list, although it's only been a 3 week wait. I felt an immediate sense of relief when I received my invitation to schedule my time. I don't know which one I will get, but my Mayo MN coordinator said either one.
I understand that as immunosuppressed patients that we could experience a limited amount of virus protection. One thin to keep in mind is that when/if more of the general population gets the vaccine, then the spread will be diminished. As the data id collected about transplant recipients, we will most likely know more about where we are as to protection. But just as we are all different as demonstrated in the varying levels of medication that our body needs, so I think will be our response to the vaccine.

When the virus first invaded our lives, we transplant patients already knew how to wash hands and to avoid close contact and crowded spaces especially during the seasonal flu season. Some transplant patients also wore masks routinely. In response to your question about others' thoughts - it is going to be tempting for some to roam freely, however, we absolutely have to remember to be cautious and extra careful. We know how to do it better than anyone. Lets all support each other by continuing to encourage each other in this and the other transplant discussions on Connect.

@kedwards73, It has been 4 years since your transplant, Have you ever thought about sharing your transplant story?
Here is a link that I want to share with you and all on our transplant members. You will find suggestions to get started.
Discussion - Organ Donation and Transplant: What is Your story?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/organ-donation-and-transplant-what-is-your-story/
Any questions? I can help. Just send me a Private Message (envelop in top right corner of page).

This is a general information post of a story on NPR about an immunosuppressed individual and his battle against Covid. It is both terrifying and fascinating what his doctors have found - https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/02/05/964447070/where-did-the-coronavirus-variants-come-from