How much covid protection are transplant recipients really getting

The overall take away from Zoom was don’t assume you have immunity even if you are one of the people that registered a high amount vs study population. Sounds like other studies are in the works to study T cells and memory B cells. Those might be better paths to immunity. Time will tell. Some bullet points and I would encourage anyone else on the zoom to add thoughts.

Transplant patients are Less likely to develop immune response if taking Mycophenolate or Azathioprine. More likely if you got Moderna, younger and the farther you are out from transplant. They did see a better jump in people in the second shot to 54%. 46% didn’t receive any antibodies from either dose. Blood was collected by two different labs so when comparing results to other people might not have same variables.
People that are getting 3rd shot. France has approved people to get 3rd shot. Some people in study have decided to get 3rd shot. If you are getting 3rd shot they would like to study your blood before and after. They encouraged people to not do that unless you consult Transplant team. Vaccine is very safe. Vaccine Probably isn’t our way out of this.
Assume Risk is still great and keep doing the things that have gotten us this far. One immunologist said his opinion was this is here to stay, like the flu. Doesn’t think concept of Herd immunity is something that will work. Also expects a booster that will be programmed to combat variants sometime in fall. Wear Masks and socially distance should be the norm. Everyone should decide own level of risk. I know in our household those discussions have been active. My wife and I constantly review were we both are. My whole household is vaccinated but have college age kids that are now finally able to rejoin friend groups some of whom are not vaccinated.

Lastly, I Tremendous faith in our Doctors and health providers, Immunologists and scientists that are working their backsides off. These are the same people that dedicated lives to help us be were we are and I have the upmost respect for the work they are putting in. They will continue to work hard to find the answers we all waiting for. This is tough but have all dealt with hard situations and I wish everyone the best.

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Thanks to both of you for additions. It was a lot of info to process. I received email that I’m going to be added to T,B-Cell studies. I will update information as time goes on. For reference in this study I didn’t receive any antibodies from either shot. I take 750 mico in the AM & 500 PM and 1.5 tac in the Am 1 in the PM. 3 years post transplant.

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@zon, do you know if the T and C cell study is open to someone who didn’t participate in the vaccine study?

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Hi Rosemary

Yes, I bet they would love as many people as possible. This is email to the study group. They usually respond within a day. Just like Mayo they are wonderful, dedicated people that have been great to work with. I encourage anyone that is interested to reach out and ask to be added to T and C cell studies. Feel free to pass this around. The more people we have involved the better!

transplantvaccine@jhmi.edu

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Thanks to both of you for additions. It was a lot of info to process. I received email that I’m going to be added to T,B-Cell studies. I will update information as time goes on. For reference in this study I didn’t receive any antibodies from either shot. I take 750 mico in the AM & 500 PM and 1.5 tac in the Am 1 in the PM. 3 years post transplant.

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The overall take away from Zoom was don’t assume you have immunity even if you are one of the people that registered a high amount vs study population. Sounds like other studies are in the works to study T cells and memory B cells. Those might be better paths to immunity. Time will tell. Some bullet points and I would encourage anyone else on the zoom to add thoughts.

Transplant patients are Less likely to develop immune response if taking Mycophenolate or Azathioprine. More likely if you got Moderna, younger and the farther you are out from transplant. They did see a better jump in people in the second shot to 54%. 46% didn’t receive any antibodies from either dose. Blood was collected by two different labs so when comparing results to other people might not have same variables.
People that are getting 3rd shot. France has approved people to get 3rd shot. Some people in study have decided to get 3rd shot. If you are getting 3rd shot they would like to study your blood before and after. They encouraged people to not do that unless you consult Transplant team. Vaccine is very safe. Vaccine Probably isn’t our way out of this.
Assume Risk is still great and keep doing the things that have gotten us this far. One immunologist said his opinion was this is here to stay, like the flu. Doesn’t think concept of Herd immunity is something that will work. Also expects a booster that will be programmed to combat variants sometime in fall. Wear Masks and socially distance should be the norm. Everyone should decide own level of risk. I know in our household those discussions have been active. My wife and I constantly review were we both are. My whole household is vaccinated but have college age kids that are now finally able to rejoin friend groups some of whom are not vaccinated.

Lastly, I Tremendous faith in our Doctors and health providers, Immunologists and scientists that are working their backsides off. These are the same people that dedicated lives to help us be were we are and I have the upmost respect for the work they are putting in. They will continue to work hard to find the answers we all waiting for. This is tough but have all dealt with hard situations and I wish everyone the best.

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This is so depressing!
I am 5 months post transplant at Mayo. Like you, take 750/500 Mycophenolate and 3/3 Tacrolimus.
I had longed to do some international travel, but it sounds like from your take away that it would not be recommended.
I have had 2 Pfizer vaccines, as have most of my family.
My 4 month biopsy was perfect, and I am so thankful to my cousin for donating and for Dr Prieto for my kidney transplant and bilateral nephrectomy.
It just makes me sad that this virus will limit our freedom.

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