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Background Although the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are highly efficacious at preventing severe disease in the general population, current data are lacking regarding vaccine efficacy (VE) for individuals with mild immunocompromising conditions. Methods A post hoc, cross-protocol analysis of participant-level data from the blinded phase of four randomized, placebo-controlled, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine phase 3 trials (Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Novavax) was performed. We defined a "tempered immune system" (TIS) variable via a consensus panel based on medical history and medications to determine VE against symptomatic and severe COVID-19 cases in TIS participants versus non-TIS individuals starting at 14 days after completion of the primary series through the blinded phase for each of the 4 trials. An analysis of participants living with well-controlled human immunodeficiency virus was conducted using the same methods. Results A total of 3852/30 351 (12.7%) Moderna participants, 3088/29 868 (10.3%) Novavax participants, 3549/32 380 (11.0%) AstraZeneca participants, and 5047/43 788 (11.5%) Janssen participants were identified as having a TIS. Most TIS conditions (73.9%) were due to metabolism and nutritional disorders. Vaccination (vs placebo) significantly reduced the likelihood of symptomatic and severe COVID-19 for all participants for each trial. VE was not significantly different for TIS participants versus non-TIS for either symptomatic or severe COVID-19 for each trial, nor was VE significantly different in the symptomatic endpoint for participants with human immunodeficiency virus. Conclusions For individuals with mildly immunocompromising conditions, there is no evidence of differences in VE against symptomatic or severe COVID-19 compared with those with non-TIS in the 4 COVID-19 vaccine randomized controlled efficacy trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction A surge of human influenza A(H7N9) cases began in 2016 in China from an antigenically distinct lineage. Data are needed about the safety and immunogenicity of 2013 and 2017 A(H7N9) inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVs) and the effects of AS03 adjuvant, prime-boost interval, and priming effects of 2013 and 2017 A(H7N9) IIVs. Methods Healthy adults (n = 180), ages 19–50 years, were enrolled into this partially blinded, randomized, multicenter phase 2 clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 vaccination groups evaluating homologous versus heterologous prime-boost strategies with 2 different boost intervals (21 vs 120 days) and 2 dosages (3.75 or 15 μg of hemagglutinin) administered with or without AS03 adjuvant. Reactogenicity, safety, and immunogenicity measured by hemagglutination inhibition and neutralizing antibody titers were assessed. Results Two doses of A(H7N9) IIV were well tolerated, and no safety issues were identified. Although most participants had injection site and systemic reactogenicity, these symptoms were mostly mild to moderate in severity; injection site reactogenicity was greater in vaccination groups receiving adjuvant. Immune responses were greater after an adjuvanted second dose, and with a longer interval between prime and boost. The highest hemagglutination inhibition geometric mean titer (95% confidence interval) observed against the 2017 A(H7N9) strain was 133.4 (83.6–212.6) among participants who received homologous, adjuvanted 3.75 µg + AS03/2017 doses with delayed boost interval. Conclusions Administering AS03 adjuvant with the second H7N9 IIV dose and extending the boost interval to 4 months resulted in higher peak antibody responses. These observations can broadly inform strategic approaches for pandemic preparedness. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT03589807. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination reduces the risk and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several variables may impact the humoral response among patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted among SARS-CoV-2-vaccinated HSCT recipients between 2020 and 2022 at a single center in Boston, Massachusetts. Patients age ≥18 years who received doses of Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J vaccines were included. Anti-spike (S) immunoglobulin G (IgG) titer levels were measured using the Roche assay. Responders (≥0.8 U/mL) and nonresponders (<0.8 U/mL) were categorized and analyzed. Multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to estimate the correlation coefficient and odds ratio of response magnitude and status. Results Of 152 HSCT recipients, 141 (92.8%) were responders, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) anti-S IgG titer of 2500 (107.9–2500) U/mL at a median (IQR) of 80.5 (36–153.5) days from last dose, regardless of the number of doses received. Higher quantitative titers were associated with receipt of more vaccine doses (coeff, 205.79; 95% CI, 30.10 to 381.47; P =.022), being female (coeff, 343.5; 95% CI, −682.6 to −4.4; P =.047), being younger (<65 years; coeff, 365.2; 95% CI, −711.3 to 19.1; P =.039), and not being on anti-CD20 therapy (coeff, −1163.7; 95% CI, −1717.7 to −609.7; P =.001). Being male (odds ratio [OR], 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.93; P =.04) and being on anti-CD20 therapy (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.70; P =.016) were associated with nonresponse. Conclusions Overall, most HSCT recipients had high SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses. More vaccine doses improved the magnitude of immune responses. Anti-S IgG monitoring may be useful for identifying attenuated vaccine-induced responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patients with lymphoid malignancies are at risk for poor coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related outcomes and have reduced vaccine-induced immune responses. Currently, a 3-dose primary regimen of mRNA vaccines is recommended in the United States for immunocompromised hosts. Methods A prospective cohort study of healthy adults (n  = 27) and patients with lymphoid malignancies (n  = 94) was conducted, with longitudinal follow-up through completion of a 2- or 3-dose primary mRNA COVID vaccine series, respectively. Humoral responses were assessed in all participants, and cellular immunity was assessed in a subset of participants. Results The rate of seroconversion (68.1% vs 100%) and the magnitude of peak anti-S immunoglobulin G (IgG) titer (median anti-S IgG = 32.4, IQR = 0.48–75.0 vs median anti-S IgG = 72.6, IQR 51.1–100.1; P  = .0202) were both significantly lower in patients with lymphoid malignancies compared to the healthy cohort. However, peak titers of patients with lymphoid malignancies who responded to vaccination were similar to healthy cohort titers (median anti-S IgG = 64.3; IQR, 23.7–161.5; P  = .7424). The third dose seroconverted 7 of 41 (17.1%) patients who were seronegative after the first 2 doses. Although most patients with lymphoid malignancies produced vaccine-induced T-cell responses in the subset studied, B-cell frequencies were low with minimal memory cell formation. Conclusions A 3-dose primary mRNA series enhanced anti-S IgG responses to titers equivalent to healthy adults in patients with lymphoid malignancies who were seropositive after the first 2 doses and seroconverted 17.1% who were seronegative after the first 2 doses. T-cell responses were present, raising the possibility that the vaccines may confer some cell-based protection even if not measurable by anti-S IgG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authorization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines for children has ushered in a new phase of the immunization campaign to address the pandemic but has been received with mixed responses from parents, children, and opinion leaders. Herein we consider perceptions and attitudes towards pediatric SARS-CoV-2 vaccines from a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) public commentary reflecting more than 63 000 comments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccine clinical trials have been essential to developing effective severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines. The challenges of supply chain disruptions, infection control, study designs, and participant factors that affect trial procedures are reviewed, with specific solutions to streamline the clinical trial process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine–induced humoral response and reactogenicity profile are described in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Findings showed that 75.0% (by Simoa assay) or 80.0% (by Roche assay) of the HSCT cohort had a positive antibody response on series completion, compared with 100% in the healthy cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) proteins were measured in longitudinal plasma samples collected from 13 participants who received two doses of mRNA-1273 vaccine. Eleven of 13 participants showed detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 protein as early as day 1 after first vaccine injection. Clearance of detectable SARS-CoV-2 protein correlated with production of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a live-attenuated vaccine usually contraindicated within the first 2 years of hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). The objective of this study was to assess the safety of MMR vaccine when administered within 2 years of HCT. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients who received MMR vaccination within 2 years of an autologous or allogeneic HCT, mostly in the context of the 2019 measles outbreak. Adverse reactions were collected for 42 days postvaccination, and all hospitalizations and deaths following vaccination were reviewed. Results A total of 129 patients (75 autologous and 54 allogeneic HCT) were vaccinated 300–729 days after HCT (median, 718 days), and 39 (30%) of these were vaccinated earlier than 23 months post-transplant. Ten adverse reactions in 7 patients (5%) were identified within 42 days of vaccination: 6 respiratory tract infections (3 with fever) and 1 rash. The rash was seen in a 37-year-old female who had an allogeneic HCT 542 days before vaccination. She presented with a centrifugal maculopapular rash, confirmed to be caused by the vaccine strain rubella virus. She fully recovered. No other vaccine-associated illness was identified in the cohort after a median follow-up of 676 days. Conclusions MMR vaccine appears to be well tolerated in select HCT recipients when given between 300 and 729 days after transplant. An uncomplicated case of vaccine-associated rubella illness was seen after vaccination. Assessment of potential risks and benefits of MMR vaccination given within 2 years of HCT remains important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Human adenovirus (HAdV) infections can lead to high mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, with rare reports of donor-derived infection. Methods Two renal transplant recipients with HAdV-11 infection who received kidneys from the same donor are described. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed. Results WGS showed 100% nucleotide sequence identity for the 2 HAdV-11 isolates. The patients presented with distinct clinical syndromes, and both were treated with brincidofovir. Conclusions Donor-derived HAdV infection is presumed to be low; however, disseminated HAdV in SOT recipients can be severe, and clinicians should be aware of the clinical course and treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on seasonal respiratory viruses, absolute case counts and viral reproductive rates from 2019–2020 were compared against previous seasons. Our findings suggest that the public health measures implemented to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission significantly reduced the transmission of other respiratory viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses how SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has underscored the importance of precision vaccinology as well as the application of precision medicine principles to vaccine discovery, development, and implementation. Topics include key principles of precision vaccinology includes demographic factors such as age, sex, geographic location, and individual immune status affect; and susceptibility to and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 with safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Background The host immune response to influenza vaccination can be affected by prior imprinting to a specific influenza strain based on birth cohort and prior influenza vaccination history. Understanding the underlying immune mechanisms is essential to development of an improved seasonal vaccine and an effective universal influenza vaccine. Methods This is a prospective pilot study, with a total of 20 subjects in either the H3N2 cohort (N = 10, born 1968–1977) or the H1N1 cohort (N = 10, born 1948–1957). Each cohort was further stratified by subjects who have received the influenza vaccine < 2 or ≥ 3 of the past 5 years. The FDA-approved quadrivalent 2018–19 influenza vaccine (containing A(H1N1), an A/Michigan/45/2015-like virus; A(H3N2), an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16–0019/2016-like virus; B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus; and B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus) was administered on Day 1. Demographic information included age, gender, ethnicity, and BMI. HAI titers for each component of the vaccine were obtained at baseline, 29 days post-vaccination, and 180 days post-vaccination. HAI fold-change and HAI geometric mean titers (GMT) were analyzed. Results There was no significant difference between H1N1 or H3N2 HAI fold-change in the H3N2 birth cohort (P = 0.7496) or in the H1N1 birth cohort (P = 0.8237), Figure A. Comparing HAI fold-change for the repeatedly vs. minimally vaccinated groups, there was a significant higher fold change in the minimally vaccinated group (H1N1 HAI (P = 0.002) and H3N2 HAI (P < 0.0001), Figure B). GMT was higher at baseline for the repeatedly vaccinated group (H1N1, 70; H3N2, 98; vs. H1N1, 30; H3N2, 21 for the minimally vaccinated group); however, the GMT for the minimally vaccinated group was higher at day 29 (H1N1, 172; H3N2, 184; vs. H1N1, 422; H3N2, 299 for the minimally vaccinated group; Figure C). HAI titers and analysis at day 180 post vaccination are in progress. Conclusion There was no evidence of an imprinting effect by birth cohort for HAI titer magnitudes, even when stratified by vaccination history. There was a significantly higher HAI fold change for individuals who had received minimal influenza vaccinations in the past 5 years at 29 days post-vaccination. Individuals who had repeated vaccinations in the last 5 years had higher HAI GMT at baseline. Disclosures Nadine Rouphael, MD, Merck: I conduct as Emory PI the PNEUMO MERCK study at Emory, Research Grant; Pfizer: I conduct as co-PI the RSV PFIZER study at Emory, Research Grant; Sanofi-Pasteur: I conducted as Emory PI the CDIFFENSE trial at Emory, Research Grant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]