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. 2022 Feb 5;23(1):55.
doi: 10.1186/s12882-022-02680-3.

Long-term efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with chronic kidney disease, on dialysis or after kidney transplantation: a national prospective observational cohort study

P Bouwmans  1   2 , A L Messchendorp  3 , J S Sanders  3 , L Hilbrands  4 , M E J Reinders  5 , P Vart  6   7 , F J Bemelman  8 , A C Abrahams  9 , M A van den Dorpel  10 , M A Ten Dam  11 , A P J de Vries  12 , T Rispens  13   14 , M Steenhuis  13   14 , R T Gansevoort  3 , M H Hemmelder  15   16 ; RECOVAC Collaborators
Collaborators, Affiliations

Long-term efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with chronic kidney disease, on dialysis or after kidney transplantation: a national prospective observational cohort study

P Bouwmans et al. BMC Nephrol. .

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages G4-G5, on dialysis or after kidney transplantation (kidney replacement therapy, KRT). SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials do not elucidate if SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is effective in these patients. Vaccination against other viruses is known to be less effective in kidney patients. Our objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of various types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in patients with CKD stages G4-G5 or on KRT.

Methods: In this national prospective observational cohort study we will follow patients with CKD stages G4-G5 or on KRT (n = 12,000) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination according to the Dutch vaccination program. Blood will be drawn for antibody response measurements at day 28 and month 6 after completion of vaccination. Patient characteristics and outcomes will be extracted from registration data and questionnaires during 2 years of follow-up. Results will be compared with a control group of non-vaccinated patients. The level of antibody response to vaccination will be assessed in subgroups to predict protection against COVID-19 breakthrough infection.

Results: The primary endpoint is efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination determined as the incidence of COVID-19 after vaccination. Secondary endpoints are the antibody based immune response at 28 days after vaccination, the durability of this response at 6 months after vaccination, mortality and (serious) adverse events.

Conclusion: This study will fulfil the lack of knowledge on efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with CKD stages G4-G5 or on KRT.

Trial registration: The study protocol has been registered in clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT04841785 ). Current knowledge about this subject COVID-19 has devastating impact on patients with CKD stages G4-G5, on dialysis or after kidney transplantation. Effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is very important in these vulnerable patient groups. Recent studies on vaccination in these patient groups are small short-term studies with surrogate endpoints. Contribution of this study Assessment of incidence and course of COVID-19 after various types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during a two-year follow-up period in not only patients on dialysis or kidney transplant recipients, but also in patients with CKD stages G4-G5. Quantitative analysis of antibody response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and its relationship with incidence and course of COVID-19 in patients with CKD stages G4-G5, on dialysis or after kidney transplantation compared with a control group. Monitoring of (serious) adverse events and development of anti-HLA antibodies. Impact on practice or policy Publication of the study design contributes to harmonization of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine study methodology in kidney patients at high-risk for severe COVID-19. Data on efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with CKD will provide guidance for future vaccination policy.

Keywords: Antibody response; Chronic kidney disease; Dialysis; Efficacy; Kidney transplantation; SARS-CoV-2; Safety; Vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study activities. “t = -1” = 1st vaccination, “t = 0” = 2nd vaccination, d = days, m = months. Details on the course of COVID-19 after vaccination will be collected from ERACODA which collects individual patient level data of adults on dialysis or with a functioning kidney allograft who are diagnosed with COVID-19
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Study Enrolment Flowchart. HD = haemodialysis, PD = peritoneal dialysis, KTx = kidney transplantation, CKD = chronic kidney disease, Ab = antibody, (S)AEs = (serious) adverse events
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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