How much covid protection are transplant recipients really getting

Missed this had been posted

I got my one month results from John’s Hopkins study. I’ve had two shots of Pfizer. Im negative for antibodies. 🙁 this is just my individual result. From following the results from different people in study they differ widely. Some people in the 3rd month have seen results go up by 1,000%.

Please pass this around to anyone that is interested.

Dear Study Participant,

Thank you for your participation in our research study: COVID-19 Antibody Testing of Recipients of Solid Organ Transplants (IRB00248540) being led by the transplant team at Johns Hopkins. Your participation in this study is vital to learning about COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness. Knowledge from this study will impact millions of transplant recipients around the world.

We hope everyone who has sent us blood samples has received their individual results and we would now like to share with you our second wave of published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Here is the link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779852

We are planning on broadcasting a 1-hour live webinar on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 3:00PM EST to share our findings with you and answer your questions. If you are unable to view the live webcast, please do not worry. The webcast will be recorded and we will share a link of the recording with everyone.

Please register here: https://jhjhm.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W2-T8NbVTDWMxEMG2aP3aQ

We will answer the most frequently asked questions and have a panel discussion with experts from Johns Hopkins.

We would like to reiterate our thanks to you for participating in this study, and we look forward to the webcast on May 14.

Bottom line quote from summary

Although this study demonstrates an improvement in antispike antibody responses in transplant recipients after dose 2 compared with dose 1, these data suggest that a substantial proportion of transplant recipients likely remain at risk for COVID-19 after 2 doses of mRNA vaccine. Future studies should address interventions to improve vaccine responses in this population, including additional booster doses or immunosuppression modulation.

@zon
Thank you for sharing this link! I just registered.
Rosemary

Dear Study Participant,

We will be moving the webinar on Friday, May 14th to 2pm EST. Please note that the original message stated that the webinar was going to be held at 3pm. We apologize for any inconvenience. You do not need to re-register for the webinar if you have already registered.

Please NOTE: time change - Friday, May 14th to 2pm EST.
@snorris, @loribmt, @bosco17, @mollyv, @athenalee, @estrada53,

Thank you @zon for sharing this information.

@mollyv I have read that a number of times, that we are not at higher risk of mortality. We can catch Covid more easily than others, but if we have it we are not at greater risk of having a more serious case of it. It is some consolation I believe.

I had the antibody test and my antibody number was 13.83 but I'm not really sure how that translates. I hope to learn more at the JH zoom.
JK

The overall take away from Zoom was don’t assume you have immunity even if you are one of the people that registered a high amount vs study population. Sounds like other studies are in the works to study T cells and memory B cells. Those might be better paths to immunity. Time will tell. Some bullet points and I would encourage anyone else on the zoom to add thoughts.

Transplant patients are Less likely to develop immune response if taking Mycophenolate or Azathioprine. More likely if you got Moderna, younger and the farther you are out from transplant. They did see a better jump in people in the second shot to 54%. 46% didn’t receive any antibodies from either dose. Blood was collected by two different labs so when comparing results to other people might not have same variables.
People that are getting 3rd shot. France has approved people to get 3rd shot. Some people in study have decided to get 3rd shot. If you are getting 3rd shot they would like to study your blood before and after. They encouraged people to not do that unless you consult Transplant team. Vaccine is very safe. Vaccine Probably isn’t our way out of this.
Assume Risk is still great and keep doing the things that have gotten us this far. One immunologist said his opinion was this is here to stay, like the flu. Doesn’t think concept of Herd immunity is something that will work. Also expects a booster that will be programmed to combat variants sometime in fall. Wear Masks and socially distance should be the norm. Everyone should decide own level of risk. I know in our household those discussions have been active. My wife and I constantly review were we both are. My whole household is vaccinated but have college age kids that are now finally able to rejoin friend groups some of whom are not vaccinated.

Lastly, I Tremendous faith in our Doctors and health providers, Immunologists and scientists that are working their backsides off. These are the same people that dedicated lives to help us be were we are and I have the upmost respect for the work they are putting in. They will continue to work hard to find the answers we all waiting for. This is tough but have all dealt with hard situations and I wish everyone the best.

Great summary. I would add that of the 54%, 39% had only some antibodies or a “weak” antibody level, I believe they termed it. And, 15% had higher levels of antibodies.

Yes, the best thing we can do for now is encourage all of our friends and family to get vaccinated, for our protection and the protection of other immunocompromised people. And, for us to remain masked and cautious at least indoors and when in crowds even outdoors.