Third vaccine to boost antibodies against COVID infection?

Posted by lizzy102 @lizzy102, Apr 25, 2021

Has anyone heard of or has information about transplanted folks receiving a third or another set of vaccines? I’m 20+ years out on my renal transplant and am thinking this might be a good thing to try.

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

@ladydidehart

How can we as a group of immunocompromised transplant patients advocate for more research/funding of better therapeutics? Since the vaccine provides little or no protection for us we need to know we can have easy access to treatment if we do happen to contract the virus. We can’t continue to live in fear and isolation.

Jump to this post

Here is another study from France, authorized by the French government. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2108861?query=NC "This study showed that administration of a third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine to solid-organ transplant recipients significantly improved the immunogenicity of the vaccine, with no cases of Covid-19 reported in any of the patients. However, a large proportion of the patients remain at risk for Covid-19. Barrier measures should be maintained, and vaccination of the relatives of these patients should be encouraged." "...given three doses of the messenger RNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech). The group included 78 kidney-transplant recipients, 12 liver-transplant recipients, 8 lung-transplant or heart-transplant recipients, and 3 pancreas-transplant recipients."

REPLY
@joko

Here is another study from France, authorized by the French government. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2108861?query=NC "This study showed that administration of a third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine to solid-organ transplant recipients significantly improved the immunogenicity of the vaccine, with no cases of Covid-19 reported in any of the patients. However, a large proportion of the patients remain at risk for Covid-19. Barrier measures should be maintained, and vaccination of the relatives of these patients should be encouraged." "...given three doses of the messenger RNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech). The group included 78 kidney-transplant recipients, 12 liver-transplant recipients, 8 lung-transplant or heart-transplant recipients, and 3 pancreas-transplant recipients."

Jump to this post

I appreciate your comment but this study does not address the advancement of treatment for COVID rather than vaccination. Additionally, there is concern with additional vaccines causing rejection of transplanted organs. Personally, I’m not comfortable getting a third vaccine.

REPLY
@jfk

I’ve actually had four doses now with no detectable antibodies.

Jump to this post

So sorry to hear that, jfk. Be safe out there.

REPLY
@ladydidehart

I appreciate your comment but this study does not address the advancement of treatment for COVID rather than vaccination. Additionally, there is concern with additional vaccines causing rejection of transplanted organs. Personally, I’m not comfortable getting a third vaccine.

Jump to this post

I'm not sure what you mean by "advancement of treatment for COVID rather than vaccination." The objective of the study was to determine if a third vaccination had any impact on antibodies." But I agree with you that I am not comfortable either getting a third shot. Thanks.

REPLY

I would like to see advancements in treatment options for those who do contract COVID, rather than medical experts continuing to push the vaccine as an option. It’s clearly not a good option for transplant patients.

REPLY
@ladydidehart

I would like to see advancements in treatment options for those who do contract COVID, rather than medical experts continuing to push the vaccine as an option. It’s clearly not a good option for transplant patients.

Jump to this post

@ladydidehart Hi and I’m in agreement that I’m looking forward to more study on Therapeutics. I thought I would add that I had a great discussion with my Infectious Disease Doctor a couple of weeks ago and confirmed that the antibody levels are not promising for us transplant patients. He did say though that Treatment options are gaining ground and he sees Monacolin Antibodies showing great promise as a treatment and possible as an injectable prophylactic. So, his advice is to get seen early if you have symptoms. His advice for me is to not ignore symptoms and get them checked so treatment can be started early.

I’ve also seen a lot of talk about another drug going thru trials which some say show lots of promise too. It’s a drug already on the market for another condition called Ivermectin.

So, for now the advice just like we were given back during transplant is Mask-up, Wash your Hands and distance. Things I like to say I was taught as a kid. Cover you Caught, wash your hands and don't share drinks. Not much really changes.
Blessings
Dana

REPLY

Thank you for sharing this information. I’m encouraged by the treatment possibilities using monoclonal antibodies and others that are being considered. I appreciate your response. Blessings to you as well.

REPLY
@ladydidehart

Thank you for sharing this information. I’m encouraged by the treatment possibilities using monoclonal antibodies and others that are being considered. I appreciate your response. Blessings to you as well.

Jump to this post

Here is an article from Mayo Newsfeed that highlight the important role monoclonal antibodies. It is important that transplant patients have early access to monoclonal antibody treatment.
-Monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19 safe for transplant patients
June 10, 2021
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/monoclonal-antibody-therapy-for-covid-19-safe-effective-for-transplant-patients/

When I was at Mayo in April, I was instructed to contact my transplant team right away if I had COVID19 because they would follow me remotely. And they would work with my local providers to get access and treatment if/when needed.

REPLY
@rosemarya

Here is an article from Mayo Newsfeed that highlight the important role monoclonal antibodies. It is important that transplant patients have early access to monoclonal antibody treatment.
-Monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19 safe for transplant patients
June 10, 2021
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/monoclonal-antibody-therapy-for-covid-19-safe-effective-for-transplant-patients/

When I was at Mayo in April, I was instructed to contact my transplant team right away if I had COVID19 because they would follow me remotely. And they would work with my local providers to get access and treatment if/when needed.

Jump to this post

Yes, I received the same instructions from Mayo in February, which was somewhat encouraging. However, they’re still recommending that transplant patients continue to mask and practice social distancing while in public. So, we’re still basically being told to live in fear and isolation. That is discouraging.

REPLY
@ladydidehart

Yes, I received the same instructions from Mayo in February, which was somewhat encouraging. However, they’re still recommending that transplant patients continue to mask and practice social distancing while in public. So, we’re still basically being told to live in fear and isolation. That is discouraging.

Jump to this post

Hi @ladydidehart I can understand your frustration with news of having to continue following Covid protection when out in public. So many of us are in the same boat. However, there should be no living in fear and isolation at all.

Since my bone marrow transplant, I’ve had to change my lifestyle somewhat too and my mindset in order to get on with life!
I’m just thrilled to be walking the planet at this point because without the transplant 2 years ago, there was zero chance I’d be around today. I’m alive and thriving because of it. My life is full and active minus being able to do any gardening to avoid any potential fungal infection.
But I’m alive and thriving and if all it takes to stay that way is to simply wear a mask when I’m out in public, I don’t hesitate. I had to wear it before Covid and will continue to do so.

As far as social distancing, because of the distribution of the covid vaccine and its positive effect on reducing the spread of the virus, we, as immunocompromised people, can enjoy getting out more in public settings now. But just don’t let your guard down. With or without Covid, any of us should be avoiding large gatherings if we’re immuno-compromised.

May I ask what your reluctance is with wearing a mask?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.