Immunogenicity and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in Patients Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Becky Mingyao, Anthony Raymond Tam, Kam Wa Chan, Maggie Kam Man, Ivan Fan‐Ngai Hung, Desmond Y. H. Yap, Tak Mao Chan
Abstract
Background Systematic data on the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccine in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) remains limited. We conducted a meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccine in patients on RRT. Methods Eligible studies were identified by systematic literature search in four electronic databases. Twenty-seven studies (4,264 patients) were included for meta-analysis. 99% patients received mRNA vaccine. Results Patients on RRT showed inferior seropositivity after two-dosed COVID-19 vaccine, 44% lower than the general population. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) had significantly lower seropositivity than patients on haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) (26.1 vs. 84.3% and 92.4% respectively, p < 0.001 for both). Compared with healthy controls, KTRs, HD and PD patients were 80% (95% CI: 62–99%), 18% (95% CI: 9–27%) and 11% (95% CI: 1–21%) less likely to develop antibodies after vaccination ( p < 0.001, <0.001 and 0.39 respectively). In KTRs, every 1% increase in using mycophenolate was associated with 0.92% reduction in seropositivity (95% CI: −1.68, −0.17, p = 0.021) at population level. The overall adverse event rate attributed to vaccination was 2.1%. Most events were mild. Conclusion Patients on RRT, particularly KTRs, had significantly reduced antibody response after two-dosed COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is generally well tolerated. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ , identifier: CRD42021261879.