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Research Reveals Need for Ongoing COVID-19 Vaccination in Immunocompromised Individuals
January 24, 2025 (Vancouver) – Findings from Arthritis Research Canada’s ongoing COVID-19 research reveal recent infection does not protect immunocompromised people from getting the virus again, suggesting the need for continued vaccination against new variants.
Researchers analyzed 1,266 saliva samples from 366 participants who were vaccinated more than three times and found that 15% of participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between September 2022 and August 2023. They were unable to detect significant differences in positivity based on sex, medications, vaccine type, or time since last vaccination.
The one factor that seemed to be protective against SARS-CoV-2 positivity was anti-Spike antibodies, which are antibodies that can be created through vaccination.
“These results point to the importance of regular vaccination to maintain antibody production – especially for people living with inflammatory arthritis and other diseases that affect the immune system,” said Jeremiah Tan, a Research Assistant at Arthritis Research Canada.
COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be effective in the general population. However, breakthrough infections – when individuals become infected with the virus despite being fully vaccinated – commonly occur. For people on immunosuppressive medications – or drugs that prevent the immune system from attacking healthy cells and tissues by mistake – these breakthrough infections are more common.
“Some infections may occur, as no vaccine is completely effective,” said Dr. Antonio Aviña-Zubieta, a Rheumatologist and Senior Scientist at Arthritis Research Canada. “However, understanding the frequency and impact of breakthrough infections is critical for the safety of individuals living with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s Disease and more.”
While much of the world has moved on from the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers continue to work behind the scenes to ensure vulnerable groups are protected. In Canada, the first mRNA vaccine campaign in 2021 was highly effective at preventing severe outcomes from COVID-19. However, with the spread of more transmissible variants, and waning immunity over time, breakthrough infections have become more common and people living with inflammatory types of arthritis, for example, are at risk for more severe COVID-19 infections, hospitalization, intensive care unit admission and death.
This study represents the largest prospective cohort to assess breakthrough COVID-19 infection in individuals with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, and is the first study to focus on these individuals after their 3rd COVID-19 vaccination. Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are conditions characterized by inappropriate or excessive immune responses. Prospective cohorts are research studies that track real-world groups of individuals over time who share similar characteristics but differ in a specific factor.
To read the full research paper, click here.
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ABOUT ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CANADA:
Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research institution in North America. Our mission is to transform the lives of people impacted by arthritis through patient-centred research and engagement. Arthritis Research Canada’s scientific director, Dr. Diane Lacaille is leading a team of over 100 researchers, trainees and staff whose life-changing research is creating a future where people living with arthritis have the knowledge and tools to triumph over pain and disability. Arthritis Research Canada is now conducting arthritis research from coast to coast with centres in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia and scientists affiliated with eight major Canadian universities: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke and Dalhousie University. Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at preventing arthritis, facilitating early diagnosis, finding new and better treatments, and improving quality of life.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Heather Caulder
Marketing and Communications Officer
Arthritis Research Canada
604-207-4010
hcaulder@arthritisresearch.ca