Variability in immunization guidelines in children before and after lung transplantation

Pediatr Transplant. 2007 Dec;11(8):882-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2007.00759.x.

Abstract

Lung transplant candidates and recipients are at high risk of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases. However, well-established guidelines neither exist for pre- and post-transplant vaccination nor do monitoring guidelines for pediatric lung transplant recipients. To ascertain the current vaccination and monitoring practices of pediatric lung transplant centers, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the 18 pediatric lung transplant centers within the International Pediatric Lung Transplant Collaborative in April 2006. Sixteen of 18 centers (89%) surveyed responded. Pretransplant, national vaccination guidelines are followed. Eleven centers reported following standardized vaccination guidelines post-transplant. Vaccines were more commonly provided by the primary-care physician pretransplant (69%) rather than post-transplant (38%). Post-transplant, 50% of the centers recommend live vaccines for household contacts but not for the transplant recipient. Pretransplant monitoring of response to prior vaccination was performed inconsistently except for varicella (88%). Only 44% of the transplant centers measure for response to vaccination post-transplant, mostly hepatitis B. Current vaccination practices of pediatric lung transplant centers are heterogeneous. The lung transplant community would be well served by studies designed to evaluate the efficacy of vaccinations in this population.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Infection Control / standards*
  • Lung Transplantation / methods*
  • Postoperative Care / standards*
  • Postoperative Care / trends
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Preoperative Care / standards*
  • Preoperative Care / trends
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vaccination / standards*
  • Vaccines / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vaccines