Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO835

Importance of Dedicated Outreach Program to Facilitate COVID-19 Vaccination in Kidney Transplant Patients

Session Information

• Transplantation: Clinical - Outcomes
  November 04, 2022 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Orange County Convention Center‚ West Building
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Transplantation

• 2002 Transplantation: Clinical

Authors

• Shahmoradi, Arezou, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Arezou Shahmoradi,

• Hopman, Wilma M., Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Wilma M. Hopman,

• Lacey, Margaret, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Margaret Lacey,

• Donelle, Jessy, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Jessy Donelle,

• Witton, Natalie, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Natalie Witton,

• Van Manen, Lori N., Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Lori N. Van Manen,

• Silver, Samuel A., Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Samuel A. Silver,

• Shamseddin, M. Khaled, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

M. Khaled Shamseddin,

Background

Transplant patients are at high risk of COVID-19 infection and its complications. Timely vaccination in this population is important. To achieve this, we launched an Outreach Program (OP) and a Vaccine Clinic (VC) for transplant patients in early April 2021, as part of Canadian phase II roll out policy.

Methods

We started an Outreach Program at our clinic in April 2021 that consisted of a clinical clerk, a nurse and a transplant nephrologist in conjunction with a VC, located separately from the Transplant Clinic, at either hospital site designated for transplant patients . Patients were assessed for vaccination eligibility by the transplant team, consented by phone by the nurse, and then booked in the VC and notified by the clerk prior to their vaccination appointment. Vaccination statuses were assessed on regular intervals up until April 15^th, 2022. Time between doses in patients who received their vaccinations at the OP versus those who got vaccinations elsewhere (External Vaccination–EV) were compared using the Mann-Whitney Test.

Results

213 adults kidney transplant patients [Age 57±14 year, female (35.7%), Caucasian (89.7%)] are followed in our clinic. By April 15^th, 2022, 207 (97.2%) patients received their 1^st vaccination, 204 (95.8%) received 2^nd dose, 179 (84%) received 3^rd dose and 152 (71.4%) received 4^th dose. Vaccination was facilitated through the OP for 145 (70%), 165 (80.9%), 171 (95.5%), and 152 (100%) of patients for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th doses, respectively. The time interval between doses was shorter when vaccination was facilitated by the OP compared with EV [1^st and 2^nd doses: 23 (21-24) vs. 35 (26-67) days, P <0.001; 2^nd and 3^rd doses: 106 (98-126) vs. 134 (102-173) days, P =0.046]. The 4^th dose was exclusively provided to our eligible patients through the OP with a median interval of 153 (140-158) days from the 3^rd dose.

Conclusion

An Outreach Program for kidney transplant patients shortened the time between COVID-19 immunizations compared with external vaccination.