With all the recent promising developments surrounding the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, it’s hard to believe it’s been six months since my kidney transplant surgery and the positive changes in my and Shelly’s lives. My recovery has been strong and without incident. I’m feeling well and am able to assume many of the daily chores and responsibilities which I previously had to give up for lack of strength or general malaise.
Our focus over the past few weeks has been to advocate for a more patient-centric approach on the part of both the federal and provincial authorities responsible for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, particularly as it pertains to the more vulnerable populations including the elderly and transplant recipients. I became aware of a recent “Research Letter” which appeared in JAMA (March 17, 2021) and authored by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine which documents the poorer antibody response following initial vaccination in solid organ transplant recipients and by implication, the importance of maintaining a more timely delivery (i.e. sooner than 4 months) of the 2nd vaccination dose for those with suppressed immune systems.
“After the first dose of the mRNA vaccine, 17 per cent of transplant patients had detectable antibodies. This is in stark contrast to 100 per cent of immunocompetent people, people with intact immune systems, who have detectable antibodies already after their first dose,” said Dr. Dorry Segev, transplant surgeon and an associate professor of surgery and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University. [1]
We proceeded to contact 20+ “centres of influence” in government, medical policymakers, transplant health professionals and experts on the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) with the objective of ensuring they were aware of this recent research paper and its implications for vaccination policy as it pertains to the immunocompromised.
Since that time, I have received and number of positive responses with renewed commitments to action. Canadian media outlets have also caught wind of this issue with a number of stories having been published in the last few days – refer to “Why Canada’s decision to delay 2nd doses of COVID-19 vaccines may not work for everyone” (CBC March 27), “Doctors, patients worry about delayed 2nd COVID-19 vaccine doses for transplant recipients” (Global News, March 26).
As the vaccine rollout continues to ramp up over the next few weeks, please take a moment this Passover and Easter to think not only about the incredibly positive news associated with more and more Canadians receiving the initial COVID-19 vaccine, but about those amongst us who will continue to face health challenges over the months ahead – even after having been vaccinated.
[1] By Caryn Lieberman Global News, Posted March 26, 2021 1:48 pm, Updated March 26, 2021 10:04 pm
Kidney for Eric 