Postvaccine Anti–SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Antibody Development in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Humoral and Cellular Responses to mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines Administered to Hemodialysis Patients

“…In accordance with the data observed in studies that evaluate the vaccine response in kidney transplant recipients 25,[41][42][43][44] , we found that the use of immunosuppressive therapy is a predictor of weak response in comparison to non-immunosuppressed participants, with fewer seroconverted patients and significantly lower anti-S1-RBD IgG levels in those who do generate a humoral response. Eleven participants in our study were on immunosuppressive treatment: 4 did not develop a humoral response to the complete vaccination, and five did respond but mounted low anti-S1-RBD IgG levels.…”

Clinically Significant COVID-19 Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Kidney Transplant Recipients

“…4,5 Initial reports indicate an impaired anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response among transplant recipients following mRNA vaccination, likely because of maintenance immunosuppression. 6,7,8,9 Whether kidney transplant recipients have low levels of virus-neutralizing antibody not detected by these assays or protective anti-SARS-CoV-2 T-cell immunity is currently unknown, and the critical question is whether the impaired antibody response corresponds to disease susceptibility. Here, we document 13 cases of COVD-19 in previously vaccinated kidney transplant recipients.…”

“…The potential for severe COVID-19 despite vaccination is a concern among transplant recipients, and these cases supplement recent reports that most transplant recipients do not develop a measurable antibody response to standard anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination schedules, although immunogenicity is higher once both doses are administered. 6,7,8,9 It is important to recognize that the efficacy of vaccination without the presence of detectable antibodies is unclear at present, as is the degree of protection afforded by the presence of a detectable anti-spike antibody response. Results from this single-center summary must be reviewed with consideration to the dynamic changes of COVID-19 infections, in the context of community disease transmission and vaccination rates.…”

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine as a transplant patient

“…More recent studies from around the globe support the earlier findings that response to vaccines is low in the immunosuppressed, but the studies had small numbers of patients. [7][8][9] The second part of the Hopkins study showed slightly more promise after the second dose of the vaccine. 4 We still need more clinical data, but how quickly will it arrive?…”