Vaccination practices in End Stage Renal Failure and Renal Transplantation; Review of current guidelines and recommendations

Abstract

Due to the increased burden of infectious complications following solid organ transplantation, vaccination against common pathogens is a hugely important area of discussion and application in clinical practice. Reduction in infectious complications will help to reduce morbidity and mortality post-transplantation. Immunisation history is invaluable in the work-up of potential recipients. Knowledge of the available vaccines and their use in transplant recipients, donors and healthcare providers is vital in the delivery of quality care to transplant recipients. This article will serve as an aide-memoire to transplant physicians and health care professionals involved in managing transplant recipients as it provides an overview of different types of vaccines, timing of vaccination, vaccines contraindicated post solid organ transplantation and travel vaccines.

Keywords: Immunization; Travel vaccines; Infection; Immunosuppression; Inactivated vaccines; Vaccination post-transplant

Core tip: Patients in end-stage renal failure and those after renal transplantation have a higher risk of opportunistic infections with catastrophic complications and poor response to standard vaccines. Special individualized consideration is needed to immunize these patients within the existing vaccination protocols.