Several U.S. medical centers are prioritizing organ transplants for COVID-19 vaccinated patients, placing unvaccinated individuals lower on waiting lists amid ongoing organ shortages.
The case of Leilani Lutali, a 56-year-old from Colorado, recently drew national attention. Weeks ago, UCHealth in Denver deactivated her on the kidney transplant waiting list due to her unvaccinated status, giving her 30 days to receive a first dose or face inactivation. Lutali cited religious objections to vaccines, as reported by the Associated Press.
Her situation reflects policies at over 250 U.S. transplant centers. With COVID-19 transmission rates still elevated, unvaccinated candidates face extremely high infection risks post-transplant.
Transplant recipients must take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent organ rejection, leaving them vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2. Experts cited by Ars Technica note mortality rates for these patients from COVID-19 can reach 20-30%. Providers aim to allocate scarce organs to those with the best survival odds.
This approach aligns with longstanding practices: lung transplant candidates must quit smoking for six months, while liver candidates with histories of alcohol or drug use must demonstrate sobriety. Full vaccination against diseases like hepatitis and influenza is routine.
Given organ scarcity and vaccine availability, many centers view COVID-19 vaccination requirements as standard. "We mandate hepatitis and flu shots, and no one has a problem with that," says Dr. Kapilkumar Patel, director of the lung transplant program at Tampa General Hospital in Florida, speaking to KHN. "And now we have this vaccine that can save lives and impact post-transplant recovery. And we have this huge public outcry."
These policies follow expert guidance. On August 13, the American Society of Transplantation and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) jointly urged that "all solid organ transplant candidates be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2."
While adoption is growing, not all programs enforce it. Lutali is now seeking options in Texas or Florida, where policies are more flexible.
