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Iceland Health

Vaccination of transplant recipients

3rd July 2024

At the end of last month, a report was published that patients waiting for a transplant would have to pay large amounts of money for vaccination.

Iceland Health had not received information about this until reading the news, but such suggestions had unfortunately not been sent to the institution. It was considered appropriate to examine the case, as Iceland Health pays all the costs of the transplantation, as well as the costs of travel to Sweden and the support of the patient and the escort.

Iceland Health has contracted with Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg, the hospital is a member of an organization for the exchange of organs called Scanditransplant. In the examination of the case it was revealed that some time ago Scanditransplant tightened its conditions to those on the waiting list for organs by requiring certain vaccinations. As it is a condition for receiving the surgery, Iceland Health will refund the cost of the vaccinations to patients. Payments will be received by the person concerned in the coming days and there is no need to apply for a refund. Regarding those who are going to receive vaccinations, Iceland Health will approve applications from Landspítali for a medicinal product licence and then general rules on payment participation in medicinal products will apply. In the future, Iceland Health will discuss the procedure for these vaccinations with Landspítali, which is responsible for preparing patients for the exchange of organs.