Vaccine, kidney transplant receiver and immunosuppresants

[magSLE]

Hi everyone.

I'm posting for my partner. He had a successful kidney transplant about 6 years ago. He takes immunosuppresants (Azathioprine) and has been offered a vaccine.

Have anyone you post kidney transplantees that take immunosuppresants had the vaccine?

If so, which one have you had? Were you recommended one by your specialist?

I know from my own vaccine research there have hardly been any trials done on those who take immunosuppresants and the Covid 19 vaccine effects.

Any relevant knowledge and especially own experience is much appreciated.

[magSLE]

Thank you for your valuable reply. When are you getting your 2nd dose? Any side effects?

[LisaSnow in reply to magSLE]

What are the side effects that you are fearful of?

[magSLE in reply to LisaSnow]

I'm concerned because there's not much research been done reflecting Covid 19 vaccines and immunosuppressants.

[LisaSnow in reply to magSLE]

The immunosuppressant nature of patients means it is recommended to receive the higher dose version of vaccine (such as the case of flu vaccine) to ensure an adequate immune response - when being exposed to an infectious agent. In the case of Covid, since high dose vaccine isn't available or relevant (mRNA "instruction" hasn't been shown to be dose dependent), it is very important to get vaccinated according to protocol, and as soon as possible.

[kidneyrecipient in reply to magSLE]

Millions of people have received the vaccines. The tremendous benefits of the vaccine are huge compared to possible side effects. Please don't be distracted by misinformation. Trust your health care providers, as well as the CDC and their info, CDC.gov.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Please see my post today on COVID STATS.

[CKDPatientRN]

Hello!

I am 3 years post transplant and have received both Moderna doses. Only side effect was a sore arm and headache

[magSLE]

Thanks for your reply. I'm glad to read you've not had harmful side effects. Take care.

[Transplant314]

I am two years post transplant. No issues from transplant or meds. I had my second shot two weeks ago. Other than a sore arm and a few aches for a day I feel fine. Your partner should check with their nephrologist but I was told to get the vaccine if I could and the peace of mind of having gotten the vaccine helps. I had the Pfizer vaccine

[magSLE]

Thanks for update. Take care.

[Hidden]

I would take it. Don't play around. This isn't one of those read all the minutia and then run the numbers thing. Remember, most of this kind of stuff is tested on healthy people. Also, watch Azathioprine. It can be rough. I was on it, so if you have questions, please feel free to ask me. Let us know how it goes.

[kidneyrecipient]

As I understand it, it is highly recommended that kidney patients, transplant or pre-transplant, receive a Covid vaccination. I received Moderna and Evusheld.

[kidneyrecipient]

I took a number of Covid vaccine doses (Moderna, though I think any one of them is okay), but I never mounted a perceptible response (detected via testing). So I was given Evusheld instead. I've also received a second dose of Evusheld. It is commonly prescribed to immunosuppressed people around here (Columbus OH). I received my transplant April 2022, but was immunosuppressed prior to that to prevent kidney damage from auto-immune disease.