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

Vaccinations for COVID-19 and Influenza (flu) are now available. Both vaccines provide important protection against contracting COVID-19 or the flu. They 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 individuals living within the same household:

COVID-19

• 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 you receive a 3- dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccine, using the same vaccine for the 3 doses.
• If you have completed your COVID-19 primary series (3 doses for anyone on immunosuppression, either prior to or after transplant, 2 doses if you were not on immunosuppression), we recommend that you receive the updated COVID vaccine.
  • If you received the old bivalent vaccine, you should wait 2 months after your most recent vaccine to receive the updated vaccine.
  • If you had COVID-19, you can receive the updated vaccine as soon as you have recovered. But we recommend you wait to be re-vaccinated 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.

We are continuing to study vaccine responses to COVID-19 vaccine. If you were transplanted over a year ago and have not had a recent rejection episode and are interested in receiving your vaccine as part of a study, please contact Maryann Najdzinowicz, RN at 215-662-4007 or Maryann.Najdzinowicz@pennmedicine.upenn.edu to see if you qualify for the study.

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