The Transplantation Society (TTS), The International Pediatric Transplant Association (IPTA) and the Transplant Infectious Diseases (TID) section reaffirms our strong support for the role of vaccines in protecting the health and survival of organ transplant candidates and recipients. Immunization is an effective and important tool of preventative care against infectious diseases, particularly for individuals who are immunocompromised due to solid organ transplantation.^{[1, 2]} Recently within the United States, changes to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have led to questions about meticulously collated vaccine safety and efficacy data. Additionally, policy decisions and public discourse continues to amplify false concerns about vaccine practice, at a time when a number of infectious diseases relevant to transplant recipients are rising, and vaccine hesitancy is up.

Transplant recipients, as a result of their altered immunity, represent a known vulnerable population. Vaccines—when appropriately timed and administered—reduce the burden of infectious disease and prevent serious complications in this group.^[3][4] TTS, IPTA and TID strongly support

• Global efforts to ensure equitable unrestricted access to safe and effective immunizations for all transplant candidates and recipients.^[5]
• We emphasize the importance of basing clinical vaccine decisions on rigorous scientific evidence and expert consensus.
• We highly encourage all household contacts to receive appropriate vaccines to further protect the health of transplant patients.
• We believe transplant candidates should continue to have equitable access to vaccines, to protect their health and maximize the chance for safe transplantation.
• We encourage all transplant professionals, transplant candidates, transplant recipients and their families around the world to work collaboratively to protect the health and safety of transplant recipients through evidence-based immunization practices.

While vaccine policies may change and evolve, the global transplant community should continuously evaluate available scientific evidence to best support our patients’ health and safety and optimize our patient outcomes. The Transplantation Society remains committed to providing education and guidance that reflect the latest developments in vaccine science, with steadfast goals of maintaining patient safety, global equity, and scientific integrity.

1. Danziger-Isakov L, Kumar D
   AST ID Community of Practice. Vaccination in solid organ transplantation.
   Am J Transplant. 2019;19(Suppl 2):S23–S30.
2. Velikova T, Gerasoudis S, Batselova H.
   Vaccination for solid organ transplanted patients: Recommendations, efficacy, and safety.
   World J Transplant. 2024 Dec 18;14(4):92172. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v14.i4.92172. PMID: 39697451; PMCID: PMC11438943.
3. Kumar D, Ferreira VH, Blumberg E, et al.
   A 5-year prospective multicenter evaluation of influenza infection in transplant recipients.
   Clin Infect Dis. 2018;67(9):1322–1329.
4. Feldman AG, Hsu EK, Mack CL.
   The Importance of Prioritizing Pre and Posttransplant Immunizations in an Era of Vaccine Refusal and Epidemic Outbreaks.
   Transplantation. 2020 Jan;104(1):33-38. doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000002936. PMID: 31876696; PMCID: PMC6936334.
5. World Health Organization (WHO).
   Immunization Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind.
   Available at: https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/strategies/ia2030