COVID-19 and Influenza (Flu) Vaccination Information for Transplant Patients, Candidates and Living Donors

Vaccinations for COVID-19 and Flu are now available. Both of these vaccines provide important protection against getting sick with these viruses and are recommended for the general public in addition to transplant recipients and those awaiting transplant. We recommend the following for all transplant candidates, donors, and recipients, as well as those living with them:

COVID-19

• The updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone, regardless of their immune status.
• If you were transplanted within the past month, you should delay vaccination for 1 month following transplant. Please discuss the timing of your COVID vaccine with your transplant provider.
• If you have never been vaccinated and you are immunosuppressed, we recommend that your received a 3 dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccine, preferably using the same vaccine for the 3 doses or 2 dose series of the Novavax vaccine.
• If you have received any doses of COVID-19 vaccine prior to starting on immunosuppression, we recommend that you receive 1 dose of the updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccine (either Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax).
• If you have only received 1 dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and you were already on immunosuppression when you were vaccinated, you should receive 2 doses of the updated 2024-2025 vaccine, separated by at least 4 weeks.
• The timing of vaccine may need to be delayed if you have had COVID recently or received a recent COVID vaccine.
  • If you received the prior year’s vaccine, you should wait 2 months after your most recent vaccine to received the updated 2024-2025 vaccine.
  • If you had COVID-19, you can receive the updated vaccine as soon as you have recovered, but we recommend that you wait to be revaccinated for up to 3 months after your infection for the new vaccine. Please discuss the timing with your transplant provider.
• The updated COVID vaccine can be given at the same time as your flu shot but should be given in different arms.
• If you had an allergic reaction or developed myocarditis following your prior COVID-19 vaccine, please discuss your booster vaccine plan with your Penn Transplant provider.

INFLUENZA (flu)

• Influenza vaccine is recommended annually for everyone, including transplant recipients, donors, those waiting on the list, and all household members.
• High dose flu vaccine should be given to anyone age 65 and older.
• For transplant recipients who are not yet 65, we recommend that you receive high dose flu vaccine, if your insurance will allow the higher dose.
• Flu vaccine is available now and we recommend that you receive your vaccine by the middle of October.
• If you were recently transplanted, it is preferred that you delay your vaccine for at least 1 month following your transplant. Please discuss the timing of the vaccine with your Penn Transplant provider.
• You can received COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same visit. They should be given in different arms.
• Because the nasal flu vaccine (flumist) contains live viral particles, you cannot get this vaccine

HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS and OTHER CLOSE CONTACTS

• Please make sure that your close contacts (including those who live with you) are vaccinated against COVID and influenza. Because the nasal flu vaccine contains live viral particles, household members should only receive the injectable flu vaccine.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Penn Transplant provider.