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COVID-19 and solid organ transplant

Resources for organ procurement organizations and transplant hospitals

COVID-19 today

Over the past three years, OPTN gathered information on COVID-19. Collaborating with researchers and other organizations, we sought deeper insight into the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This virus spread rapidly and profoundly influenced the transplant community, as well as their dedicated medical teams.

As COVID-19 continues to impact transplant patients, we’ve updated the OPTN website to present the latest information.

We aim to keep you informed about the state of these treatment recommendations from trusted sources. Keep the following in mind:

  • The site features treatment recommendations from trusted sources, highlighting precautionary measures for better understanding of COVID-19.
  • Consult your healthcare team for tailored advice as we learn more about COVID-19.
  • We will update this page, a central point, with new COVID-19 information from experts.

Explore HHS guidelines

The U.S. Department of Human Services’ (HHS) agencies (FDA, NIH and CDC) have unveiled an updated strategy to address COVID-19. The current vaccines are expected to provide protection against COVID-19 from the currently circulating variants, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

  • FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Novovax.
  • National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) special clinical considerations outline risks for transplant patients, including how immunosuppressive medication regimens should be uniquely tailored, factoring in disease severity, risk of graft rejection, medication types, time since the transplant, drug concentration, and potential drug interactions.

Learn from these trusted sources

Consider essential precautions and measures

Visit TransplantLiving.org for Patient COVID FAQs

  • Adhere to safety protocols: wear masks, practice social distancing, and maintain hygiene.
  • Discuss your medications with your medical team concerning COVID treatments.
  • Learn about donor screening and testing to prevent transmission of infected organs to recipients through the transplanted organs and/or tissues.
  • Talk about stress, anxiety, and depression? At least one in ten recipients and donors suffer from psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the transplant patient’s mental health.

COVID-19 milestones and transplantation

  • COVID-19 Emergency Policies and Data Collection: The COVID-19 emergency has greatly impacted routine medical care. To lower the risk of spreading COVID-19, most hospitals cut back on non-emergency visits. (March 17, 2020)
  • Transplant, Telemedicine and Covid-19: What we learned from the pandemic and how we can apply it to the future. A hybrid model of telemedicine and ambulatory visits will enable organizations to provide the best care. (August 14, 2020)
  • Continued Research: Current Evidence and Information on Donor SARS-CoV-2 Testing & Organ Recovery after COVID-19. (February 1, 2021)
  • Lung donor protocols: Lower Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Testing Guidelines
    • Revised Policies: Reinstatement of Updates to Candidate Data During the COVID-19 Emergency (April 26, 2021)
    • Advisory Details: OPTN Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (April 26, 2021)
  • The COVID-19 crisis stressed the nation’s health care system and a U.S. public health emergency was declared, including an impacted has been the ability to obtain required clinical testing within specific time frames that candidates must have to maintain waitlist priority. (January 11, 2022)
  • Summary report on COVID-19: A collection of donor screening data for an organ acceptance from donors with a history of COVID‐19. (August 22, 2022)
  • COVID-19-related OPTN Member Monitoring Changes: The OPTN Executive Committee approved several emergency policies to suspend or modify certain existing policy requirements due to unforeseen circumstances that prevent patients. (November 21, 2022)
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