COVID-19 vaccine evaluation among solid organ transplant recipients at a single academic center

• Solid organ transplant recipients are motivated to receive COVID-19 vaccination by the following factors: protecting individual health, protecting health of family and friends, and protecting community health. • Solid organ transplant recipients felt the need to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to avoid contracting COVID-19, to prevent serious illness, and to socialize with family and friends. • Solid organ transplant recipients who are hesitant to receive booster vaccinations highlight concerns about previous side effects and overall vaccine safety. Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) may have a higher risk of serious disease and death due to COVID-19. It is necessary to determine the main motivators and demotivators for SOTRs to receive COVID-19 vaccinations to improve patient education. A voluntary and anonymous survey was created using questions adopted from the Center for Disease Control COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence: Rapid Community Assessment. Questions included demographics, vaccination status and opinions in multiple choice and free response format. The survey was distributed in July 2023 and was open for one month. A total of 127 SOTRs responded which included patients 18 years and older who received one of the following transplants: heart (12.6 %), lung(s) (37.01 %), liver (31.5 %), kidney (11.81 %), and liver and kidney (7.09 %). The overwhelming majority of respondents received a primary vaccination series (97.64 %). Among the vaccinated, 68.55 % received a bivalent booster vaccination and 32.28 % have received a second booster vaccination. The greatest motivating factors among vaccinated were “protecting my health” (84.68 %) “protecting the health of family and friends” (66.13 %), and “to protect the health of the community” (36.29 %). Only 3 SOTRs were unvaccinated, all of whom reported that they felt the vaccine was unsafe. While the overwhelming majority of SOTRs were vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect their health and the health of others, a minority have hesitations about receiving booster vaccinations. Targeting patient education towards these concerns will improve the protection of the SOTR community.