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Washington U study offers clearer picture of COVID-19 vaccine's effect on immunocompromised
https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/coronavirus/wash-u-study-offers-clearer-picture-of-covid-19-vaccines-effect-on-immunocompromised/article_8aeb0d1d-9ff4-53bf-a483-a8b3d3533043.htmlST. LOUIS — COVID-19 vaccinations elicit strikingly lower immune responses in people with weakened immune systems, according to a study published this week by Washington University researchers.
One in 10 immunocompromised participants in the study had no antibody response to the vaccines. And the average response, from those who had one, was one-third less than that of the general public.
The study, published Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, adds to the body of research suggesting that the COVID-19 vaccine may not protect people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems the same as people who are not immunocompromised. It also amplifies the argument for third shots of the vaccine for millions of Americans — and has implications for millions more, including cancer patients and the elderly.
But researchers also said the study's findings exceeded expectations, in some ways. They had feared that more of the participants would have very small responses to the vaccines.
"It confirms that immune responses can be mounted in the immunosuppressed," said Dr. Alfred Kim, a Washington University rheumatologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and co-senior author of the study. "That narrative that, 'It's not going to work for me' is going to be untrue for the vast majority of these type of people."
Scientists don't know what level of antibodies people need in order to be protected from the virus, Kim said, so it is too early to draw conclusions about whether the study participants ultimately have less protection from COVID-19.
One in 10 immunocompromised participants in the study had no antibody response to the vaccines. And the average response, from those who had one, was one-third less than that of the general public.
The study, published Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, adds to the body of research suggesting that the COVID-19 vaccine may not protect people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems the same as people who are not immunocompromised. It also amplifies the argument for third shots of the vaccine for millions of Americans — and has implications for millions more, including cancer patients and the elderly.
But researchers also said the study's findings exceeded expectations, in some ways. They had feared that more of the participants would have very small responses to the vaccines.
"It confirms that immune responses can be mounted in the immunosuppressed," said Dr. Alfred Kim, a Washington University rheumatologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and co-senior author of the study. "That narrative that, 'It's not going to work for me' is going to be untrue for the vast majority of these type of people."
Scientists don't know what level of antibodies people need in order to be protected from the virus, Kim said, so it is too early to draw conclusions about whether the study participants ultimately have less protection from COVID-19.
~more at link