The body's
immune response is suppressed by
mycophenolate. The antibody response to
vaccines may be reduced. The use of live
attenuated vaccines may result in generalised
infection.
For many inactivated
vaccines even the reduced response seen is considered clinically useful, and in the case of
renal transplant patients influenza
vaccination is actively recommended. If a
vaccine is given, it may be prudent to monitor the response, so that alternative prophylactic measures can be considered where the response is inadequate. Note that even where effective antibody titres are produced, these may not persist as long as in healthy subjects, and more frequent
booster doses may be required. The use of live
vaccines is generally considered to be contraindicated.