Abstract: TH-PO1224
Improving Vaccine Protection Among Adolescents and Young Adults Before Kidney Transplantation: An Interprofessional Quality Improvement Effort
Session Information
- Pediatric Nephrology: CV Health, CKD, AKI, Dialysis, Transplantation, and Health Services Research
October 22, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Pediatric Nephrology
- 1800 Pediatric Nephrology
Authors
- Kotzen, Elizabeth, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- St Louis, Dawn, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- Westreich, Katherine D., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Background
Adolescent and young adult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have unique vaccination needs. We developed a single center multidisciplinary protocol for improving vaccination, using a patient-facing portable immunization worksheet designed to provide a framework for patient-family-clinician discussions.
Methods
Patient education intervention: The immunization worksheet was provided to patients during pre-transplant nursing education sessions, and was reviewed as needed during physician visits.
Study inclusion: KTRs ages 11-26 with transplant from January 2018 to December 2025 were included in this quality improvement initiative.
Analysis: We report proportion of KTRs who met the standard of care metric for each immunization during the baseline period (January 2018 to December 2019), and 3 intervention phases (January 2020 to December 2021; January 2021 to March 2023; and April 2023 to December 2025).
Results
A total of 89 adolescent and young adult KTRs were included. Vaccination rates are depicted in figures 1 and 2.
Conclusion
During the study period, factors favorable for this effort included inclusion of a nurse champion; increased integration of the state immunization registry with the health system's electronic medical record; and reduced complexity of the pneumococcal vaccine regimen. Barriers to further implementation included vaccine hesitancy; fragmentation of care; and use of a paper rather than electronic patient education tool.