Antibody responses to the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines in hemodialysis patients: Is inactivated vaccine effective?

Introduction: Vaccines generally have reduced effectiveness in hemodialysis patients and a similar condition may also apply for the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines. The aim of this study was to analyze humoral responses of hemodialysis patients to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines. Methods: Eighty‐five maintenance hemodialysis patients who received either inactivated or mRNA SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines were investigated. Antibody levels were measured by a commercial antibody kit, which detected antibodies toward receptor binding domain of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein. Comparative analyzes were carried between vaccine groups and with a control group of 103 healthy volunteers. Results: Seropositivity rate and antibody levels were significantly lower in hemodialysis patients who received inactivated vaccine (p = 0.000). While mRNA vaccine had better immunogenicity, both vaccines protected from symptomatic infection when seropositivity was achieved. Discussion/Conclusion: When used in the same dose with the general population, inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines generate reduced humoral response in hemodialysis patients. mRNA vaccines have better immunogenicity in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]