The Humoral Response to the BNT162b2 Vaccine in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Yau Kevin , Abe Kento T. , Naimark David , Oliver Matthew J. , Perl Jeffrey , Leis Jerome A. , Bolotin Shelly , Tran Vanessa , Mullin Sarah , Shadowitz Ellen , Garnham-Takaoka Julie , de Launay Keelia Quinn , Takaoka Alyson , Straus Sharon E. , McGeer Allison J. , Chan Christopher T. , Colwill Karen , Gingras Anne-Claude , Hladunewich Michelle A. 
Published: May 2021

Importance

Hemodialysis patients have an exceptionally high mortality from COVID-19 and this patient population often has a poor response to vaccinations. Randomized controlled trials for COVID-19 vaccines included few patients with kidney disease, therefore vaccine immunogenicity is uncertain in this population.

Objective

Evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 antibody response in chronic hemodialysis patients following one versus two doses of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination compared to health care worker controls and convalescent serum.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Single centre study in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Participants

142 in-centre hemodialysis patients and 35 health care worker controls.

Exposure

BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine.

Main Outcomes and Measures

SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies to the spike protein (anti-spike), receptor binding domain (anti-RBD), and nucleocapsid protein (anti-NP) were measured in 66 hemodialysis patients receiving one vaccine dose following a public health policy change, 76 patients receiving two vaccine doses, and 35 health care workers receiving two vaccine doses.

Results

Detectable anti-NP suggestive of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in 15/142 (11%) of patients at baseline while only three patients had prior RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19. Two additional patients contracted COVID-19 after receiving two doses of vaccine. In patients receiving a single BNT162b2 dose, seroconversion occurred in 53/66 (80%) for anti-spike and 35/66 (55%) for anti-RBD by 28 days post dose, but only 15/66 (23%) and 4/66 (6%), respectively attained a robust response as defined by reaching the median level of anti-spike and anti-RBD in convalescent serum from COVID-19 survivors. In patients receiving two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine, seroconversion occurred in 69/72 (96%) for anti-spike and 63/72 (88%) for anti-RBD by 2 weeks following the second dose while 52/72 (72%) and 43/76 (41%) reached the median convalescent serum level of anti-spike and anti-RBD, respectively. In contrast, 35/35 (100%) of health care workers exceeded the median level of anti-spike and anti-RBD found in convalescent serum 2-4 weeks after the second dose.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study confirms poor immunogenicity 28 days following a single dose of BNT162b2 vaccine in the hemodialysis population, supporting adherence to recommended vaccination schedules, and avoiding delay of the second dose in these at-risk individuals.

Key Points

Question

What is the serologic response to the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine in hemodialysis patients?

Findings

In this prospective observational study, humoral response was compared in 66 hemodialysis patients sampled 28 days after receipt of one dose of vaccine to 76 patients who received two doses of vaccine sampled 14 days after the second dose. Among those receiving one dose, 6% had anti-RBD response above the median level of convalescent serum versus 41% who received two doses.

Meaning

Given that hemodialysis patients exhibit a poor humoral response to a single dose of BNT162b2 vaccine, the second dose should not be delayed.