Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at increased risk of developing severe and lethal COVID-19 compared to the general population. Current therapies against severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections are still limited. Nevertheless, growing evidence has revealed that KTRs exhibit a poor response to standard vaccine regimens, with humoral immune responses of roughly 50% at one month following two mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses. Moreover, most responders were shown to exhibit low antibody titers. Our experience at Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc is perfectly in line with such data.
Considering these disappointing results, it is apparent that other strategies are required for KTRs and immunosuppressed patients, including a third vaccine dose along with monoclonal antibody therapy. This work’s aim is to provide a review on this topic and report on our experience at Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc.
Key Words
Kidney Transplant, COVID-19, vaccine