Risk of Severe COVID-19 and Protective Effectiveness of Vaccination Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

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. © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.