Evolving strategies to optimize immunization and protection of pediatric transplantation recipients

Indications for pediatric solid organ (SOT) and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) have expanded concurrently with a repertoire of new biologics and transplant-related immunosuppression regimens, leading to a growing population of immunocompromised children who remain at risk for infections. Immunization of these children is fundamental in preventing and mitigating the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD), yet remains suboptimal. This review summarizes emerging pediatric data, including new vaccine formulations, guidance updates, and evolving immunization strategies aimed at optimizing vaccine-mediated protection in pediatric transplant recipients, while highlighting ongoing knowledge gaps.

Despite published recommendations, immunization remains an underutilized prevention strategy resulting in pediatric SOT and HCT candidates and recipients remaining sub-optimally vaccinated and at risk for VPD. New immunizations, including recombinant hepatitis B, higher-valency pneumococcal conjugate, recombinant zoster, meningococcal b and polyvalent meningitis vaccines, and long-acting RSV monoclonal antibodies, show promise in providing enhanced immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy, but remain largely off-label or insufficiently studied in pediatric transplant recipients. Emerging evidence support the safety and immunogenicity of live attenuated viral vaccines (MMR, varicella) in selected pediatric SOT recipients and high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine in pediatric allogeneic HCT recipients. Inclusion of transplant recipients in vaccine clinical trials is essential, as is additional research to improve our understanding of mechanisms of vaccine immunogenicity and evaluation of both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses that could best serve as surrogates of protective immunity in this population and inform individual vaccine recommendations.

Recent advances in immunizations offer new opportunities to prioritize vaccination both before and after SOT and HCT to enhance the protection against VPD in pediatric transplant recipients and improve their clinical outcomes. Future research should prioritize inclusion of pediatric transplant recipients in clinical trials and studies aimed at improving our understanding of vaccine safety, efficacy, and effectiveness in this population.