Since transplant medications can weaken your immune system, it's important for Penn Transplant Institute patients to stay up-to-date on their vaccines. Here, we're outlining all you need to know from how soon you can get vaccinated after a transplant to the types of vaccines you should avoid.
What is a vaccine and why do I need one?
Vaccines help prevent infections by "teaching" your immune system to develop protection against certain viruses or other germs. Because transplant medications can increase your risk of infection, it is important to stay up to date on your vaccines.
When can I start getting vaccines after transplant?
With the exception of the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine, and unless instructed otherwise by the transplant team, you should wait until 6 months after transplant to get vaccines. If you are planning on traveling outside of the United States after your transplant, notify your Transplant Coordinator. You may need additional vaccines.
Which vaccines do I need to get every year?
All transplant patients should receive the flu vaccine each and every year. It is safe to receive the flu vaccine as soon as 1 month after transplant. If available and covered by your insurance, request the high-dose flu vaccine. If unavailable, it is okay to receive the standard, regular dose flu vaccine. You should only receive the injection form, as the nasal form contains live virus and is not safe for transplant patients. It is also important to remain up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine. Because different strains of COVID-19 are present in the community at different times, the timing of your vaccination may vary from year to year and you may need more than one vaccine each year. We expect that there will be a new COVID-19 vaccine available in the fall and recommend that all patients receive the updated vaccine.
Should I receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a transplant patient?
All transplant receipts should receive the COVID-19 vaccine with boosters as outlined by the CDC.. If you have not yet been vaccinated, we are happy to give you the COVID-19 vaccine at a Penn Medicine location or help you find a place to get the vaccine close to home. If you have received some doses of COVID-19 vaccine and wonder if you are due for additional doses, you can see current recommendations on the CDC website COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised | CDC. If you are not certain whether you need an additional COVID-19 vaccine, please reach out to your Penn Transplant team.
Are there any vaccines that I can't receive?
You should never receive a live vaccine as you are taking medications to weaken your immune system. Live vaccines can make you sick since they contain live virus. Live vaccines include the nasal flu vaccine, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, small pox vaccine, and the chicken pox vaccine (but not shingrix/zoster vaccine).
Where can I get my vaccines?
You can get vaccines anywhere that offers them and accepts your insurance, such as a doctor's office or pharmacy. If you receive a vaccine at somewhere other than Penn Medicine, record the type and date and notify your transplant team so they can update your records.
Do my family, friends, or loved ones need to get special vaccines after my transplant?
Anyone that you interact closely with, including children, should be up to date on their vaccines and get a flu shot each year to help stay protected and to protect you. However, they should NOT receive the nasal form live virus vaccine.
Are there any new vaccines that I will be offered?
In the coming months, the new vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will become more widely available and you may be eligible to receive this vaccine. We will be sending out more information about this soon.