Multi-Organ Transplant

Transplant Pharmacy - Life After Transplant

Vaccinations

After a transplant you will be taking medications that suppress your immune system. This will make you more susceptible to infections, some of which can be prevented through vaccinations.

We highly recommend that you receive the influenza vaccine each fall sometime between September and November. If you have received your transplant less than 3 months ago and this vaccine is due, you should discuss with your physician prior to having the vaccine.

If you are allergic to eggs you should not have the influenza vaccine because the vaccine has a protein base very similar to the protein found in eggs. You should make arrangements to get the flu vaccine either through your family doctor, a walk-in clinic, or at one of the local public ‘Flu Shot’ clinics. We cannot give the vaccine to you in the Transplant Clinic.

We also recommend that transplant recipients be vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax^®) for additional protection against pneumonia. This vaccine is best given before your transplant, however it can be given after transplant provided that you wait at least 6 months. This vaccine should be repeated every 5 years.

Your transplant team may recommend that you receive other vaccinations depending on the type of transplant you have received and your health status.

If you plan on traveling out of the country you may require vaccination against certain infectious diseases common to that area. These vaccines are given prior to departure and can be arranged through a Travel Clinic. It is very important to inform the Travel Clinic that you are a transplant patient as there are certain types of vaccines that you should not receive. You should also always discuss any travel plans with your transplant team (refer to Travel section of this website).

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