A recent study that suggests giving solid organ recipients three Covid-19 vaccine doses has triggered an active discussion in the transplant community. Doctors feel that booster doses should be considered for transplant patients if they have not mounted an immunological response.  

Dr Trupti Gilada, infectious disease physician at Masina Hospital said the entire discussion started after a retrospective study where 30 odd transplant patients volunteered to take a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine after they found that they didn’t develop any antibodies post two doses. “They later offered blood samples for research. Out of which, eight did develop certain antibodies. It is definitely encouraging for the population whose immunity is lower and where two doses might not be enough in comparison to a normal person. There is a larger study in France. We are waiting for the results,” Gilada said, adding that meanwhile, transplant patients are being advised to take vaccines when their immunity is not at the lowest.