Immunogenicity and safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients

Noga Shem-Tov*, Ronit Yerushalmi, Ivetta Danylesko, Vladislav Litachevsky, Itzchak Levy, Liraz Olmer, Yaniv Lusitg, Abraham Avigdor, Arnon Nagler, Avichai Shimoni, Galia Rahav

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

The immunogenicity and safety of Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients are unknown. We prospectively followed 152 HSCT recipients who were at least six months following transplantation and with no active acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Blood samples were taken 2–4 weeks after the second vaccination and analyzed for receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibodies and neutralizing antibodies (NA). 272 immunocompetent healthcare workers served as controls. At a median of 28 days after the second vaccination, 118 patients (77·6%) developed RBD immunoglobulin G (IgG) with a geometric mean titre (GMT) of 2·61 [95% CI (confidence interval), 2·16–3·16]. In the control group 269/272 (98·9%) developed RBD IgG, with a GMT of 5·98 (95% CI 5·70–6·28), P < 0·0001. The GMT of NA in HSCT recipients and controls was 116·0 (95% CI 76·5–175·9), and 427·9 (95% CI 354·3–516·7) respectively (P < 0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HSCT recipients with no chronic GVHD and no immunosuppressive therapy at the time of vaccination had significantly higher levels of NA following the second vaccination. Adverse events were minimal and were less common than in healthy controls. In conclusion; the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination is safe and effective in HSCT recipients, especially those who are immunosuppression-free. A significant fraction developed protecting NA.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)884-891
Number of pages8
JournalBritish Journal of Haematology
Volume196
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
  • neutralizing antibodies
  • vaccination

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