Transplant: No or Few Antibodies after COVID Vaccination

I’d say it’ll be an annual thing…

“CDC: Some Immunocompromised People Can Get a Fourth Dose”
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19vaccine/95280

Hi all,
If you are a transplant patient and have no antibodies from the vaccine, are you planning on spending Thanksgiving dinner with your vaccinated family and friends? Also, has anyone attempted eating out with vaccinated friends at an off hour? I am weighing the idea of coming out of my bubble a little since the Florida numbers have appeared to improve a little (and knowing this disease will be in our lives for a long time). I am hopeful about the Merck antiviral pill and other treatments coming down the pike but how long are you waiting to be social? Unfortunately, Thanksgiving and going to a restaurant would mean no mask while eating and talking. Please let me know what you are thinking?

I recently heard an expert doctor on national news say that immuno-compromised people (such as transplant patients) may want to consider getting monoclonal antibodies as a preventative measure, since many of us may not have antibodies from the vaccination. Does the Mayo Clinic have an opinion on this?

Mayo Clinic has published this information.
- The best medicine for COVID-19 is prevention https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/the-best-medicine-for-covid-19-is-prevention/

It's not specific to transplant or immunocompromised patients however. I will submit your question to Dr. Gregory Poland for a future podcast. Follow his podcasts here on Connect: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/podcasts/

Yes, @edb1123 I heard the same thing!!
Dr. Scott Gottlieb (Former FDA Commissioner) said no more people should die of covid-19 in the United States. He said the immune suppressed community should be protected with monthly injections of monoclonal antibodies to provide the immunity protection that the vaccines can not offer that community. Every one else should be vaccinated. In addition to the monoclonal antibodies, I am also wondering if the new "soon to be approved" Merck covid antiviral pill will have a role in infection prevention for us. Thank you @colleenyoung for sending this important and timely topic to Dr. Poland! Will they notify us if there is going to be a podcast or guidance on Connect? Thank you again for jumping on this topic! Having some protection against covid would be life changing!
@edb1123 What activities are you doing? Do you ever go out to eat? Planning to get together with vaccinated friends or family for Thanksgiving? I am not sure what to do.

In this discussion, @jennifer0726 posted a letter she had received from Mayo addressing monoclonal antibodies. However, this was, at the time, only if you had been exposed to Covid -
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/transplant-third-dose-no-antibodies/?pg=1#comment-632882
I also asked my transplant team, Lahey Medical Center, and they said that they would also authorize them, if exposed. I think the bigger issue is if insurance companies will pay for them, particularly as a proactive step, as they are relatively expensive.

Hey @hello1234, I have eaten at outdoor restaurant settings, where there is spaced out tables and, even if covered, still good air flow. However, I will still not eat at an indoor setting. I did, however, go to an indoor concert recently and I’m going to a dance concert Saturday 💃🏼. Both venues required vaccination cards or neg test proof, and masks.

I will go to my vaccinated friends’, small Thanksgiving gathering this year.

I have to start my job on Monday, however, and return to in person work for the first time in more than 1.5 years. This I’m definitely quite nervous about as the city hall is an older building full of people I don’t know and will be working in close contact with on a daily basis. 😷

In sum, I think there are positive mental advantages to going to a limited number of outings, masked. Although, since Florida’s Governor probably does not allow vaccination proof requirements, I would be extra careful. For me, I trust my friends to know my risks, so if they have concerns about any exposure to Covid they would let me know. And, I wouldn’t gather with them.

Yes, I have been pretty active since receiving my vaccinations. I play golf, and go to restaurants and stores, but always wearing a mask indoors. We have had a few family gatherings and plan to be together on Thanksgiving - everyone is vaccinated. However, if preventative monoclonal antibodies were suggested by Mayo, I would liver to get them as added protection.

Sounds wonderful @edb1123 I forget if you are a transplant patient? Did you test positive for antibodies after your vaccine? (I know about 50% of immune suppressed patients tested positive for antibodies after the vaccine). Unfortunately , I tested negative...even after the booster. That's why the monoclonal antibodies sound so promising to me. 😊

Yes, I had a bone marrow transplant July 22, 2020. I did not have an antibody test, my doctor didn’t think it was necessary since they don’t know what level of antibodies is sufficient. I totally understand why you would want the monoclonal antibody treatment!