Childen's Hospital Boston  300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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Clinical Services (Kidney Transplant Program):
Immunization Instructions
It is very important that your child receive all of the recommended childhood immunizations (vaccines) before receiving the transplant. Your child's immune system will be suppressed after the transplant and immunizations given at that point may not be fully effective.

Your doctor will assess your child's special needs so that your child is fully up-to-date on all of the required immunizations.

Working with your pediatrician
It is very important to work closely with your pediatrician. Some immunizations should not be administered to children with certain conditions. Children taking medicines that suppress the immune system or children with specific allergies may have different immunization requirements.

The transplant team will work closely with your child's pediatrician to facilitate appropriate and safe immunization.

Recommended Immunizations
  • Synagis - For children younger than 3 years of age. If your child is currently listed for an organ transplant, they should receive Synagis (an immune globulin) monthly from November to April to protect from a respiratory virus called RSV.

  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) - a live virus vaccine, 2 injections in the series. Must be at least 1 year of age and not severely immunosuppressed. Cautious use with certain allergies. We don't recommend giving this immunization after transplant.

  • VZV (Varicella or chicken pox) - a live virus vaccine, 1 or 2 injections depending upon your child's age. Must be at least 1 year of age and not severely immunosuppressed. Your child does not need to receive this vaccine if he/she has had the chicken pox or shingles (herpes zoster).

  • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) - Given as a 5 injection series starting in infancy. Older children and adults receive Td (tetanus and diphtheria) every 10 years.

  • Hepatitis B - a series of 3 injections given in infancy or prior to adolescence.

  • Hepatitis A - a series of 2 injections; must be at least 2 years of age to receive this vaccine.

  • IPV (polio) - given as a 4 injection series starting in infancy. This injection is now used instead of the "oral polio" vaccine used in the past.

  • HIB (haemophilus influenza type B) - a 4 injection series started in infancy; older children and adults may receive 1 vaccination.

  • Pneumococcal vaccine - 2 different types of vaccine:

    • PCV7 - a 5 injection series started in infancy; older children and adults may receive 2 injections.
    • Meningococcal - given to pre-adolescents and adults, 1 injection.

  • Influenza (flu shot) - must be at least 6 months of age, given as 2 injections (1 month apart) the first season it is given, then 1 injection yearly. Family members of those at risk for flu should also receive yearly immunization.
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which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional.
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