Colorado health system to deny organ transplants to unvaccinated
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (119610)
United States
October 6, 2021 2:59pm CST
A Colorado health system has announced that they will not perform organ transplants for people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. It makes sense to me. Organs are extremely valuable and it only makes sense to give them to patients with the best chance for survival. Unvaccinated patients are way more likely to die than vaccinated ones.
A Republican Colorado state representative brought the policy to the public's attention yesterday and called it "discriminatory" and "disgusting". A constituent of his received a letter from the system stating that she would be inactivated on the kidney waiting list and she had 30 days to begin the course of vaccination. If she refuses then she will be removed.
I can't say that I disagree with this hospital system's stance. When resources like organs are so rationed and valuable you need to give them to those who have the best chance of survival.
UCHealth says that transplant recipients often have to meet other health requirements and that studies show covid-19 is especially fatal to transplant patients.
10 people like this
9 responses
@MarieCoyle (37444)
•
6 Oct 21
Transplants are hard to get and it's really hard to find a donor most of the time. I think it would be ridiculous to give a life saving organ to someone who wouldn't make every effort, as in just get the vaccine already. If she wants to live, it only makes sense. But then again, that is only my opinion.
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
6 Oct 21
@MarieCoyle You said it perfectly, Marie!
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37444)
•
6 Oct 21
Thank you. A good friend had a lung transplant. He had to make sure every vaccination was updated first. He didn't mind at all, he was happy for a chance at life. His lungs went bad from working around asbestos.
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6304)
• United States
6 Oct 21
@NJChicaa
You just never know. People sit on juries.
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (119610)
• United States
6 Oct 21
@Vikingswest1 I don't think this is the kind of case that will have a jury.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
8 Oct 21
I totally agree with the hospital and it wouldn't surprise me if the same were applied in most other hospitals. At least I hope so! Our neighbor had a lung transplant last year and he had to be very careful not to be exposed to any kind of virus. I know he got the shots as soon as they were available for covid. It only makes sense.
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
6 Oct 21
Boy that is a tough one--transplant recipients typically have to meet certain requirements in order to be considered--this shows how strongly they feel--
2 people like this
@kaylachan (69668)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Oct 21
Seems like a moot point to me. People who successfully recieve organs have to take immune supressents for the rest of their lives in hopes the organ isn't rejected by the body. This is why those who recently or have had successful transplants in the past are on the list of those people who shouldn't get the vaccine. Seems like moot to vaccinate someone, then do a transplant and undo the affects of the vaccine.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Oct 21
@kaylachan I agree with you. Attached a screenshot from University of Chicago Medicine.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Oct 21
@NJChicaa In general, vaccines are recommended to be given at least two weeks before your transplant surgery. If you’ve already had your transplant, doctors will delay your vaccination for at least four weeks and up to several months if you’re still on high dose steroids or have received strong immunosuppressive treatments like thymoglobulin or rituximab. In this case, waiting longer may give the vaccine a better chance to work.
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/what-organ-transplant-recipients-need-to-know-about-vaccines-for-covid-19
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
6 Oct 21
I agree with this decision. Unvaccinated patients are more likely to get sick and die, after an organ transplant. The Covid vaccine should be required, before they perform the surgery!
2 people like this
@marguicha (222989)
• Chile
6 Oct 21
I usually agree with you but not here. While it is a good idea that trahsplants should be given to people with the best chance of survival, I also think that the only true thing we know is that we will all die some day, sooner or later.
We are not more prepared for survival with a vaccine. We are more prepared if we follow a lot of steps, mainly wear a mask, keep social distance and wash our hands often. And of course, before surgery, we must have a PCR
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
7 Oct 21
A COVID-19 vaccination is just like any other vaccination that is required to have a transplant. I would be saying, "Where do I sign up?" to get that injection STAT!
1 person likes this
