SEATTLE, Wash. – University of Washington Medical Center mandates that all transplant patients must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Only people with specific medical conditions that prevent vaccination are exempt.

Patients who aren’t vaccinated will be removed from the hospital’s wait list, and marked as ineligible to receive a new organ.

A statement on their website says transplant patients’ immune systems are compromised after undergoing surgery, which could lead to an increased chance of contracting COVID-19.

UW says the vaccine requirement has long been required for anyone looking to get an organ transplant at their facilities.