With the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, many studies have started to emerge on their effectiveness. However, only now are we seeing studies on the vaccine effectiveness for those with a weakened immune response. In particular, a large study of over 3,000 transplant patient volunteers were examined after receiving either Pizer or Moderna’s vaccine. These transplant patients are on medication to blunt their immune response. These medications include MMF and Azathioprine, both of which are commonly prescribed for IBD. By reviewing these results, we can draw conclusions about how the vaccine will work in IBD patients who take these medications.
These mRNA vaccines work on the basis of your body being able to make antibodies, and almost 100% of people who are not immune compromised produce such antibodies after the first dose. However, transplant patients were shown to develop severely less antibodies than their healthy counterparts. In fact, only 17% made antibodies after their first dose. For those who take MMF’s and Azathioprine for a transplant or other reasons have an 8% chance of developing antibodies after the first dose.
This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, and was spoken about by Dr. Dorry Segev, MD, PHD of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Dorry says that these findings are important for immunocompromised people, and that it may mean even after vaccination, they should still wear a mask and follow hand washing procedures more diligently than non- immunocompromised people. He suggests getting an antibody test done two to three weeks after your second dose of vaccine to see how many antibodies you made. This way, at least you will know what your risk is, and each individual can take the precautions that are right for them.
He also hopes that after more research has been done on this group of immunocompromised patients, almost 11 million people in the US alone, that vaccine companies will allow a third dose of vaccine for these people in particular. He is also hopeful that if patients receive both doses of the mRNA vaccines and don’t have success, that they could be eligible for a round of the J&J vaccine to see if they have better success with that one. He urges caregivers and family of the immune compromised to get vaccinated to help protect them, especially if they don’t have success with the vaccine themselves.
Another parallel study has begun on those with chronic conditions. These include autoimmune diseases, IBD, HIV, and cirrhosis. While exact numbers are yet to be derived, Dr, Dorry suspects that these people’s responses will be “pretty blunted” as well. This is a ‘Catch 22’ for patients, as they need these medications to help with chronic illnesses, but can prevent vaccine effectiveness. On the flip side, there are those who may be immune without antibodies. Those who have had COVID-19 and were asymptomatic, in European studies, showed their T-cells were activated and elevated. Now, studies are looking at T-cell responses and activation in transplant patients, as they aren’t sure if this method will work. However, Dr. Dorry is hopeful that they can evoke an immune response that is T-cell mediated, and not antibody mediated.
The good news for those with IBD is that if you are just taking a biologic, your chance of making antibodies is pretty much on par with healthy counterparts. If you are taking an MMF or Azathioprine however, your chance of making antibodies is significantly lower. The best course of action is to still get vaccinated, but to have an antibody test done a few weeks after your second dose. These results can be discussed with your healthcare provider or specialist, to make a plan that still protects you in your daily activities. This may be as simple as wearing a mask for a little while longer after vaccination. There is still lots of research to be done however, and we are hopeful for possible alternative treatment for the immunocompromised. This may come by way of an extra dose of vaccine or a possible T-cell treatment instead. Stay tuned for more to come!
Want to check it out for yourself? Click HERE!
Note: * This is NOT an affiliate post. I do not receive anything for promoting or recommending products or services. *