Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in people living with HIV in the Netherlands: A nationwide prospective cohort study
Authors: Hensley Kathryn S. , Jongkees Marlou J. , Geers Daryl , GeurtsvanKessel Corine H. , Mueller Yvonne M. , Dalm Virgil A. S. H. , Papageorgiou Grigorios , Steggink Hanka , Gorska Alicja , Bogers Susanne , den Hollander Jan G. , Bierman Wouter F. W. , Gelinck Luc B. S. , Schippers Emile F. , Ammerlaan Heidi S. M. , van der Valk Marc , van Vonderen Marit G. A. , Delsing Corine E. , Gisolf Elisabeth H. , Bruns Anke H. W. , Lauw Fanny N. , Berrevoets Marvin A. H. , Sigaloff Kim C. E. , Soetekouw Robert , Branger Judith , de Mast Quirijn , Lammers Adriana J. J. , Lowe Selwyn H. , de Vries Rory D. , Katsikis Peter D. , Rijnders Bart J. A. , Brinkman Kees , Roukens Anna H. E. , Rokx Casper 
Published: October 2022

Background

Vaccines can be less immunogenic in people living with HIV (PLWH), but for SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations this is unknown. In this study we set out to investigate, for the vaccines currently approved in the Netherlands, the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in PLWH.

Methods and findings

We conducted a prospective cohort study to examine the immunogenicity of BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1-S, and Ad26.COV2.S vaccines in adult PLWH without prior COVID-19, and compared to HIV-negative controls. The primary endpoint was the anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG response after mRNA vaccination. Secondary endpoints included the serological response after vector vaccination, anti-SARS-CoV-2 T-cell response, and reactogenicity. Between 14 February and 7 September 2021, 1,154 PLWH (median age 53 [IQR 44–60] years, 85.5% male) and 440 controls (median age 43 [IQR 33–53] years, 28.6% male) were included in the final analysis. Of the PLWH, 884 received BNT162b2, 100 received mRNA-1273, 150 received ChAdOx1-S, and 20 received Ad26.COV2.S. In the group of PLWH, 99% were on antiretroviral therapy, 97.7% were virally suppressed, and the median CD4+ T-cell count was 710 cells/μL (IQR 520–913). Of the controls, 247 received mRNA-1273, 94 received BNT162b2, 26 received ChAdOx1-S, and 73 received Ad26.COV2.S. After mRNA vaccination, geometric mean antibody concentration was 1,418 BAU/mL in PLWH (95% CI 1322–1523), and after adjustment for age, sex, and vaccine type, HIV status remained associated with a decreased response (0.607, 95% CI 0.508–0.725, p < 0.001). All controls receiving an mRNA vaccine had an adequate response, defined as >300 BAU/mL, whilst in PLWH this response rate was 93.6%. In PLWH vaccinated with mRNA-based vaccines, higher antibody responses were predicted by CD4+ T-cell count 250–500 cells/μL (2.845, 95% CI 1.876–4.314, p < 0.001) or >500 cells/μL (2.936, 95% CI 1.961–4.394, p < 0.001), whilst a viral load > 50 copies/mL was associated with a reduced response (0.454, 95% CI 0.286–0.720, p = 0.001). Increased IFN-γ, CD4+ T-cell, and CD8+ T-cell responses were observed after stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 spike peptides in ELISpot and activation-induced marker assays, comparable to controls. Reactogenicity was generally mild, without vaccine-related serious adverse events. Due to the control of vaccine provision by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, there were some differences between vaccine groups in the age, sex, and CD4+ T-cell counts of recipients.

Conclusions

After vaccination with BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels were reduced in PLWH compared to HIV-negative controls. To reach and maintain the same serological responses as HIV-negative controls, additional vaccinations are probably required.

Trial registration

The trial was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NL9214). https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/9214.