Putting ethics and clinical decision making before politics: requiring COVID-19 immunization for Solid Organ Transplantation (SOT) Candidates and their Support Team

Mark Kuczewski; Katherine Wasson; Paul J Hutchison; Daniel F Dilling

doi:10.1016/j.healun.2021.10.001

Putting ethics and clinical decision making before politics: requiring COVID-19 immunization for Solid Organ Transplantation (SOT) Candidates and their Support Team

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2022 Jan;41(1):17-19. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2021.10.001. Epub 2021 Oct 22.

Authors

Mark Kuczewski¹, Katherine Wasson², Paul J Hutchison³, Daniel F Dilling⁴

Affiliations

¹ Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois.
⁴ Lung Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Health System, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois.

Abstract

We recommend that vaccination for COVID-19 should be a requirement for waitlist activation for solid organ transplant (SOT). We also recommend that such vaccination be required of the primary member of the in-home support team. We argue that these requirements are consistent with current standard practices that draw on a well-established ethical framework. As a result, these recommendations should be easily received and are only controversial owing to the inflamed and politicized state of public discourse.

Keywords: COVID-19; mandatory vaccination; medical ethics; solid organ transplant; vaccination.

Publication types

Editorial

MeSH terms

Bioethical Issues*
COVID-19 / prevention & control*
COVID-19 Vaccines*
Clinical Decision-Making / ethics*
Guidelines as Topic
Humans
Organ Transplantation*
Politics*

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines