Transplant: No or Few Antibodies after COVID Vaccination

Hi, @nkdonahue your daughter had no antibodies before the second shot, but has she gotten the results from after the second shot?

I saw somewhere that the antibody test was nor really reliable because the vaccine gives a person the defense mechanism to fight off the virus but it’s not the same antibodies that you get from having Covid. I have no idea if that’s true or not, but it seems to me that if it is, a prestigious hospital like Johns Hopkins would not be bothering to test for them.

I hope you will post any results as you hear them, it’s such an important thing for those of us who are on immunosuppressants.
JK

I, too, showed no antibodies after the first shot. Just got word they are ready for repeat test after second shot. Time will tell.

@nkdonahue, @contentandwell, @corn50,
Here is an article published on Jan 19, 2021 where Johns Hopkins medical researchers have shared some preliminary findings about antibodies and in solid organ transplant recipients. Please be aware that this is preliminary information.

I unfortunately did not get registered for the research study before my 1st vaccination. I want to say thank-you to those of you who did get registered and are participating in the ongoing research. I add you to my list of silent anonymous heroes!

COVID-19 Story Tip: Organ Transplant Recipients Can Develop Immunity After Covid-19, Despite Immunosuppression
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/covid-19-story-tip-organ-transplant-recipients-can-develop-immunity-after-covid-19-despite-immunosuppression

I am also one of those who did not register in time. But I'm anxious to see the data and analysis of this research. I'm curious to know if I have ever been "fully protected" even by the influenza, pneumonia or Shingrex vaccines. I would not have considered this before the broad discussion on COVID and the vaccines available to us. Thoughts, anyone?

@rosemarya interesting, particularly the part about “transplant recipients who received convalescent plasma or intravenous immunoglobulin (to reduce the risk of a serious inflammatory response) had lower natural antibody levels against the virus and, therefore, were less likely to have immunity.”, but there is not yet any info about immunity developed from the vaccines.

For me, that’s the most important thing of course, since I haven’t had Covid and hope not to. Rosemary, did you have an asymptomatic case when your husband was diagnosed with Covid?
JK

I am a liver transplant recipient and tested positive for Covid right after Christmas. Next day hot the intravenous medicine. A couple weeks after I tested positive for antivirus. Mayo recommended I wait 3 months before I get the vaccine to let the antibodies build up. Sounds like they are unsure how long the antibody protection is but at least 3 months.

I will definitely pass on anything that I learn about the Hopkins study.

The John Hopkins study is still open for participants. They are trying to determine the level of antibodies in transplant patients to the Covid vaccine. You don't need to be a patient there and I don't think you even need to leave your house.

@jolinda Do you have to live in the vicinity of JH? If not, how do you sign up?
JK

John Hopkins is in Baltimore but you do not need to go there to participate. Here's a link that will take you to the sign-ups.
https://uihc.org/health-topics/covid-19-vaccines-transplant-patients