When is the best time to vaccinate a kidney transplant recipient?
Ideally, patients who have received a transplant should receive all vaccinations prior to transplantation to provide the strongest native immunoprotection. If this is not possible, vaccinations should be administered when the immunosuppressant dosages are reduced (usually 6 to 12 months post transplantation). Influenza vaccinations should be given to all patients who have undergone transplant and their close contacts. It is recommended that the influenza vaccine be given prior to the onset of the annual influenza season, provided the recipient is at least 1 month post transplant. If available, H1N1 vaccinations should be administered to all eligible kidney transplant recipients.