THIRD DOSE FOR TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS APPROVED

Great news as Australia emerges out of lockdown. The Federal Government’s expert panel on immunisation – ATAGI – has today (October 8) announced a 3^rd dose of COVID-19 vaccine as part of the primary course in individuals who are severely immunocompromised. This includes solid organ transplant recipients.

Transplant Australia, supporting transplant professionals, has been advocating for this as the evidence shows many recipients do not develop enough antibodies after an initial two doses. We have argued that with the key states of NSW and Victoria exiting out of lockdown in the next few weeks it is essential all members of the community receive the required number of doses to give them protection. You can read ATAGI’s full statement here:

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Transplant Australia Medical Director Professor Richard Allen said it was important to note the time recommended between the second and third dose for maximum protection was between two and six months.

“We recommend any recipient that received their second dose more than two months ago to make arrangements to receive their third dose as soon as possible.  Please note the preferred vaccine for this third dose will be Pfizer or Moderna regardless of which vaccine you originally received.

“This is really great news that all immuno-compromised people in Australia will be afforded this extra protection. It should give our recipients more confidence to slowly and carefully re-engage with the community as lockdown ends. However it will still be important to wear masks in indoor settings and to adopt the individual protective measures we have become so familiar with in the last 18 months,” Professor Allen said.

Transplant Australia will provide more practical information for recipients at our update COVID-19 Webinar on November 3.