Vaccine. 2025 Nov 26;70:128023. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.128023. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although vaccination is known to be of critical importance in solid organ transplant recipients. This study aims to evaluate the vaccination status of heart transplant patients and the changes in vaccination rates following the pandemic.
METHODS: Patients aged 18 years or older who underwent heart transplantation between January 1998 and January 2024 were included. Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination status and antibody responses, as well as vaccination status with pneumococcal vaccine were evaluated. Vaccination rates were analyzed over the years, comparing the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods.
RESULTS: Among 295 evaluated patients, 174 met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at transplantation was 38.8 ± 16.1 years, and 21.8 % were female. The hepatitis B vaccination rate increased from 31.4 % pre-transplant to 47.1 % post-transplant (p: 0.007). For pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), the rate rose from 5.7 % pre-transplant to 37.4 % post-transplant (p < .001). Comparing pandemic periods, PCV13 vaccination increased from 11.2 % to 36.7 % (p < .001), while HBV vaccination increased modestly from 40.0 % to 45.9 % (p: 0.326).
CONCLUSION: Vaccination rates among heart transplant recipients remain suboptimal. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have positively influenced pneumococcal vaccination uptake, reflecting heightened awareness of respiratory infections. Further research is warranted to explore the clinical outcomes and optimal timing of vaccination in this population.
PMID:41308248 | DOI:10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.128023