• Martin Windpessl, Gunnar H Heine, Sören L Becker, Anja L Scheuer, Martina Sester, and Andreas Kronbichler.
• Innere Medizin IV, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels, Österreich.
• Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. 2021 Oct 1; 146 (19): 1277-1282.

AbstractHOW EFFECTIVE ARE THE APPROVED VACCINES IN KIDNEY DISEASES AND THOSE RECEIVING IMMUNOSUPPRESSION?:  Several observational studies indicated that immunosuppression is associated with a weakened or absent humoral response. Patients with chronic kidney diseases or undergoing maintenance dialysis without immunosuppression have a reduced humoral response to COVID-19 vaccines. I HAD COVID-19. SHOULD I GET VACCINATED?:  It is recommended to receive a booster after SARS-CoV-2 infection with a mRNA vaccine. IS A COVID-19 VACCINATION DESPITE ONGOING IMMUNOSUPPRESSION POSSIBLE?:  Patients receiving immunosuppression have a reduced humoral response, and this is especially observed when anti-CD20 therapy is used. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VACCINE PROVOKES REJECTION OF MY TRANSPLANTED KIDNEY OR RELAPSE OF MY GLOMERULAR DISEASE?:  Several reports were published in the last months highlighting new-onset diseases, recurrences and relapses of different glomerular diseases, which occurred after the receipt of the first or second vaccine dose. As a clear association of vaccines and induction of autoimmunity still needs to be established, most of these diseases are treatable, and COVID-19 in patients under immunosuppression is often fatal, there is a clear net benefit of vaccination. DO I HAVE A PERMANENT PROTECTION AFTER VACCINATION?:  The antibody titers and likely the cellular immune response is significantly reduced in patients with kidney diseases, and titers are reducing at a fast pace under ongoing immunosuppression. A booster dose should be considered, especially taking into consideration the evolvement of virus variants and their impact on vaccine efficacy. AFTER THE FIRST SERIES OF VACCINATION, NO OR ONLY A MARGINAL AMOUNT OF ANTIBODIES WERE DETECTABLE. ARE THERE STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE VACCINE RESPONSE?:  Many countries recommend the application of a third dose for vulnerable patient cohorts, especially because of a weakened response and their risk to develop a severe disease course of COVID-19. Prospective clinical trials are ongoing to test the ideal strategy to improve vaccine response in these cohorts.Thieme. All rights reserved.

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