Huh K, Kang M, Kim YE, Choi Y, An SJ, Seong J, Go MJ, Kang JM, Jung J. Risk of Severe COVID-19 and Protective Effectiveness of Vaccination Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.
J Infect Dis 2024;
229:1026-1034. [PMID:
38097377 DOI:
10.1093/infdis/jiad501]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are at higher risk for severe infection. However, the risk for severe COVID-19 and vaccine effectiveness among SOTRs remain unclear.
METHODS
This retrospective study used a nationwide health care claims database and COVID-19 registry from the Republic of Korea (2020 to 2022). Adult SOTRs diagnosed with COVID-19 were matched with up to 4 non-SOTR COVID-19 patients by propensity score. Severe COVID-19 was defined as treatment with high-flow nasal cannulae, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
RESULTS
Among 6783 SOTRs with COVID-19, severe COVID-19 was reported with the highest rate in lung transplant recipients (13.16%), followed by the heart (6.30%), kidney (3.90%), and liver (2.40%). SOTRs had a higher risk of severe COVID-19 compared to non-SOTRs, and lung transplant recipients showed the highest risk (adjusted odds ratio, 18.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.53-38.58). Vaccine effectiveness against severe disease among SOTRs was 47% (95% CI, 18%-65%), 64% (95% CI, 49%-75%), and 64% (95% CI, 29%-81%) for 2, 3, and 4 doses, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
SOTRs are at significantly higher risk for severe COVID-19 compared to non-SOTRs. Vaccination is effective in preventing the progression to severe COVID-19. Efforts should be made to improve vaccine uptake among SOTRs, while additional protective measures should be developed.
Collapse