1. < Transplants

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question.

Posted by silverwoman @silverwoman, Jan 4, 2021

<p>I know I am not the only post-transplant patient who is thinking about getting the coVID vaccination. My nurse coordinator has told me that the transplant team at Jacksonville has not approved vaccination yet because of the lack of experience with it for our group. One of the Infectious Disease doctors has indicated in a Mayo communication that transplants should be getting vaccinated. The nurse coordinator has said that if we choose to get vaccinated then we should do our laboratories once a week. I'm frustrated and confused by the lack of clear guidance and seemingly conflicting opinions. Is anybody else feeling like this? Have you made any decisions about when and if you will get vaccinated?</p>

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

avmcbellar | @avmcbellar | May 23, 2021
In reply to @suzanne2 "I teach kindergarten and have been vaccinated, with some side effects. But my point in writing..." + (show)
@suzanne2

I teach kindergarten and have been vaccinated, with some side effects. But my point in writing is that last weekend one of my students experienced a tragedy. He lost his mom to COVID! She was 32 years old and never had a chance to be vaccinated. Just something to think about.

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@suzanne2 I am so sorry to hear the news for your young student. Sad to grow up without his mom. I agree. No one knows the mother’s medical history. There seems to be a misconception that being fully vaccinated means no hospitalization. That is not true. Let me remind everyone by becoming fully vaccinated it can lower your chances of becoming severely ill from a covid infection. There is still a possibility, although lower, for hospitalization and even death. A fully vaccinated individual can contract covid and transmit it to others. As a member previously had posted......no vaccine is 100% effective. We do our best when making our decision.

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kohlgryl079 | @kohlgryl079 | May 23, 2021
In reply to @rosemarya "@kohlgryl079, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am a transplant recipient. My husband got COVID in..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@kohlgryl079, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I am a transplant recipient. My husband got COVID in November, but I did not get it. These are indeed complicated times for all of us. I have had both doses of the vaccine, and according to research, I may not be protected either. In my recent post transplant appointment, I learned that the antibody test is not being given routinely as it was in the beginning of the pandemic. As a transplant patient, I was told that it is a measurement of a specific time, and 'Real World' observation/research is ongoing to learn what that can mean for transplant patients.
Transplant patients are instructed to follow the CDC guidelines for unvaccinated population and that means continuing to wear masks.

Are you a transplant patient?
What kind of blood test is this medical person telling you to get?

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I have thyroid disease, thalassemia, IBS,
I was born with these diseases. We are diagnosed as Primary Immune Deficient. The blood test is to determine if I actually have covid, since my test are positive, with no symptoms. I am. A patient at University of North Carolina. They are a research center. All I have heard is the auto immune folk have not been tested enough or Vaccine does not work on us as well.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | May 23, 2021
In reply to @terry14 "JK could I please have a link to the article written by the heart transplant recipient..." + (show)
@terry14

JK could I please have a link to the article written by the heart transplant recipient doctor that you mention. If you don't have a link to provide do you remember the title of the article? I'd really like to hear more about this. I know in France a 3rd dose for immunosuppressed was approved in March. I haven't heard of the efficacy for those patients yet.

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@terry14 I received an email today from MedPage today that referenced the article so here is the address of it:
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/92698
It is controversial of course. There are some interesting comments following it.
JK

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1 reply
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | May 23, 2021
In reply to @kohlgryl079 "I have thyroid disease, thalassemia, IBS, I was born with these diseases. We are diagnosed as..." + (show)
@kohlgryl079

I have thyroid disease, thalassemia, IBS,
I was born with these diseases. We are diagnosed as Primary Immune Deficient. The blood test is to determine if I actually have covid, since my test are positive, with no symptoms. I am. A patient at University of North Carolina. They are a research center. All I have heard is the auto immune folk have not been tested enough or Vaccine does not work on us as well.

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@kohlgryl079, We transplant folks are immunosuppressed, too. Our immunosuppression is medicine induced.

I think that you might find the information from Johns Hopkins to be interesting because it tells about non-reactions to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. It also tells about what is currently being studied in the real life setting. I especially suggest that you look at the lint to the recent Johns Hopkins Webinar. (posted 4 days ago) You are welcome to join in the discussions.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/john-hopkins-webinar-on-transplant-recipients-and-vaccines/
Here is another related discussion;
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-much-covid-protection-are-transplant-recipients-really-getting/
Rosemary

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terry14 | @terry14 | May 23, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "@terry14 I received an email today from MedPage today that referenced the article so here is..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@terry14 I received an email today from MedPage today that referenced the article so here is the address of it:
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/92698
It is controversial of course. There are some interesting comments following it.
JK

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Thanks so much JK!

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johnymac | @johnymac | May 23, 2021
In reply to @karen1945 "All the best to you!" + (show)
@karen1945

All the best to you!

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thanks for your kind words...stay safe, be well

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 26, 2021
In reply to @jayhawk57 "Hi- I have Fibromuscular Dysplasia in renal kidney and corotid artery with MALS. I take blood..." + (show)
@jayhawk57

Hi- I have Fibromuscular Dysplasia in renal kidney and corotid artery with MALS. I take blood thinner. I have had some anxiety taking the vaccine. I want to take the Pfitzer. I know it is challenging to get feedback because everyone has different reactions. Thanks and have a blessed weekend.

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Hi Jayhawk, With your specific combination of health conditions, I recommend you consult with your doctor regarding the vaccine. Doctors are recommending it in most instances. People with multiple chronic conditions are at greater risk of complications from COVID than adverse reactions to the vaccine itself.

You'll also want to ask your doctor if you need to discontinue any medication prior to getting the vaccine. Here's a related discussion that might help you know what questions to ask:
- Are there medicines that should be paused before COVID vaccine? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-vaccine-reaction-with-medicine/

I hope your decision becomes clear after talking with a medical professional. I'll be interested to hear what you learn.

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athenalee | @athenalee | Jun 4, 2021
In reply to @lizzy102 "Just read this article Rez; vaccines and transplant folk. https://apple.news/AtCrtv1CKS1OQAITdvh70xg" + (show)
@lizzy102

Just read this article Rez; vaccines and transplant folk. https://apple.news/AtCrtv1CKS1OQAITdvh70xg

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That’s a very interesting and hopeful article! Thank you for sharing.

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