Transplant: New Covid booster and Evusheld

As always, I am doing what my team at Mayo recommends. Exchanges between patients, participants, and the occasional fools are often entertaining, occasionally informative, but rarely match the medical advice that has kept me alive for the past three years. So, that said, I have never heard a thing about me getting Evusheld, and I am sure that the remonstration will be coming about getting my next Covid dose in updated formulation as well as that annual flu shot. Those gals and guys watch me like a hawk.
Best always,
s!
Scott Jensen

I am 19 yrs post kidney transplant,feeling great.
I had 2 Vaccines 2 boosters . 2 doses of Evesheld in April and getting 2 more in Oct. when I say 2 doses, it’s given in 2 needles on each buttock. My dr contacted me as soon as evesheld was available. I still mask in stores, and avoid risky situations, but had no side effects from evesheld.

I received my liver transplant in Feb 2022, and received the Evusheld shots (1 in each thigh) in June. I had no reaction. I am scheduled to receive the updated Covid vaccination next week on the advice of my mayo team here in Jacksonville. Since I am a recent transplant, they are watching me closely still. I would check with your team. Best.

New to this forum. 18 years living with a 18 ejection fraction. Transplant in December 2011 with one minor problem requiring a stent and very decent lifestyle for a 71 year old. currently on mycophenolate and tacromilus. I want to travel so I am going to take evusheld treatment. Just had my 3rd booster of the new vaccine. waiting to be one month apart. My Transplant cardiologist highly recommended this treatment. Will continue to take precautions in densely packed situations and on airplanes with a N95 mask. My keys to success are staying lean and mean through exercise and diet and trying to avoid stress (yeah really easy right now). Best advice is usually free.

Thanks, Scott!

Welcome, @zorbanite. Wow, 18 years with a heart transplant. Congrats. I would love to hear more about your transplant story. Will you add it here?
- Organ Donation and Transplant: What is Your story? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/organ-donation-and-transplant-what-is-your-story/

Think I confused you. I survived 18 years after 2 heart attacks with an 18% ejection fraction. Then had a heart transplant at the end of 2011.

Got it. Thanks for clarifying. Would still love to hear more about your story here:
– Organ Donation and Transplant: What is Your story? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/organ-donation-and-transplant-what-is-your-story/

Hi, @hello1234
I definitely plan to get the latest booster, it covers the new strains of Covid. I had the original 3 vaccines, which is the protocol for immunosuppressed patients, plus the two boosters, and have had no reactions. After my last shot my transplant team had me get my antibodies tested to see if I should get Evusheld but my antibodies were surprisingly high so it was not necessary.

Right now I am planning to get three vaccines -- first my second dose of the shingles vaccine which was just approved by the CDC in July for immunocompromised patients, then the new Covid booster, and finally the flu shot. I generally don't get the flu shot until October because it's only active for about 6 months so I think that will see me through flu season better, although people do get the flu prior to that. It's a gamble either way.

If you are able to get both the vaccine and Evusheld but don't know which to get first you should check with your transplant team. I feel they generally have the best advice and definitely know more than I do about the pros and cons of which to get first.
JK

Hi @contentandwell 😊
Thanks so much for your detailed response. I think you have an excellent vaccine plan! After all my covid vaccines and boosters, I tested for antibodies and had ZERO so it was recommended that I proceed with Evusheld which I did.
Recently, just a couple of weeks ago, I was diagnosed with the BK virus. The treatment for BK virus is reduction in immune suppression meds in hope that my immune system will kick in enough to handle it. BK is scary for a kidney transplant patient because it can cause rejection.
In the meantime, it's now time for my next Evusheld. I am also thinking that the reduction of immune suppression may allow me to achieve some antibodies using the new covid booster. I heard on one of the John Hopkins webinars that the vaccine is a broader protection than Evusheld if your body builds antibodies from it, so it may be worthwhile trying. I will also get the flu shot and shingles shot.
Of course, with my BK virus I am not sure what the best timing is with all of these vaccines because my top concern is the resolution of the virus and preventing rejection. I don't want to distract my immune system from job one! (Not sure if that's something real or not).
I am so happy to hear that your system successfully responded to the covid vaccine and boosters! What immune suppression meds and dosages are you on for maintenance? Also, how did you feel after your first Shingrix vaccine? (I have heard sometimes people don't feel well after the shingles vaccine)?
Thanks again JK for jumping in and letting me know your vaccine and booster plan. It's very helpful and appreciated!