Influenza vaccination for HIV-positive people: Systematic review and network meta-analysis

Burden of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in People Living with HIV

Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) pose a serious public health concern for people living with HIV (PLH). PLH experience a delayed and weakened response to many vaccines available, compared to the general population. Lower seroconversion rates, along with a decreased efficacy and durability of vaccines, increases the susceptibility of PLH to VPDs. Vaccination guidelines specifically targeting this population have been modified to overcome these challenges. However, vaccine uptake remains suboptimal due to multiple barriers, highlighting the need for further studies and the additional implementation of public health measures specifically tailored to PLH.

Immunogenicity and effectiveness of COVID-19 booster vaccination among people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The effect of booster vaccinations with the coronavirus virus disease (COVID-19) vaccine on people living with HIV (PLWH) remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the immunogenicity and effectiveness of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in PLWH.

Methods

Literature research was done through the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Review, and Web of Science databases up to 4 July 2023. Pooled estimates were calculated and compared using the DerSimonian and Laird method for a random effects model. Randomized control trials and observational studies were both considered for inclusion.

Results

We included 35 eligible studies covering 30,154 PLWH. The pooled immune response rate (IRR) of PLWH after the COVID-19 booster vaccination was 97.25% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.81-99.49), and similar to healthy control (HC) (risk ratio [RR] = 0.98, 95% CI, 0.96-1.00). The pooled IRR for PLWH with CD4+ T-cell counts ≤ 200 was 86.27 (95% CI, 65.35-99.07). For Omicron variants, the pooled IRR for PLWH after booster dose was 74.07% (95% CI, 58.83-89.30), and the risk of IRR was reduced by 10% in PLWH compared with HC (RR = 0.90, 95% CI, 0.80-1.00). The T-cell immune response of PLWH was found to be comparable to HC (p ≥ 0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that mRNA vaccines produced a relatively high IRR in PLWH compared to other vaccines. In addition, the results showed that booster vaccination appeared to further reduce the risk of COVID-19-related infections, hospitalizations, and deaths compared with the primary vaccination.

Conclusion

It was shown that booster vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine provided a high IRR in PLWH and still produced a desirable moderate IRR in PLWH with a CD4+ T-cell count of ≤ 200. Importantly, the humoral and T-cell responses to booster vaccination in PLWH were comparable to HC, and similar results were observed with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Our review strongly emphasizes the effect of mRNA vaccine booster vaccination in PLWH on eliciting desirable protective IRR. Furthermore, booster vaccination appears to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death in PLWH compared to primary vaccination. However, more evidence is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Immunogenicity and safety of COVID-19 vaccines among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Available data suggest that the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines might decrease in the immunocompromised population, but data on vaccine immunogenicity and safety among people living with HIV (PLWH) are still lacking. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the immunogenicity and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in PLWH with healthy controls. We comprehensively searched the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. The risk ratio (RR) of seroconversion after the first and second doses of a COVID-19 vaccine was separately pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Seroconversion rate was lower among PLWH compared with healthy individuals after the first (RR = 0.77, 95% confident interval (CI) 0.64-0.92) and second doses (RR = 0.97, 95%CI 0.95-0.99). The risk of total adverse reactions among PLWH is similar to the risk in the healthy group, after the first (RR = 0.87, 95%CI 0.70-1.10) and second (RR = 0.83, 95%CI 0.65-1.07) doses. This study demonstrates that the immunogenicity and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in fully vaccinated HIV-infected patients were generally satisfactory. A second dose was related to seroconversion enhancement. Therefore, we considered that a booster dose may provide better seroprotection for PLWH. On the basis of a conventional two-dose regimen for COVID-19 vaccines, the booster dose is very necessary.

Immunogenicity, effectiveness, and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people with HIV

OBJECTIVES

People with HIV (PWH) experience a greater risk of morbidity and mortality following COVID-19 infection, and poorer immunological responses to several vaccines. We explored existing evidence regarding the immunogenicity, effectiveness, and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in PWH compared with controls.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases from January 2020 until June 2022, in addition to conference databases, to identify studies comparing clinical, immunogenicity, and safety in PWH and controls. We compared results between those with low (<350 cells/μl) and high (>350 cells/μl) CD4 + T-cell counts where possible. We performed a meta-analysis of seroconversion and neutralization responses to calculate a pooled risk ratio as the measure of effect.

RESULTS

We identified 30 studies, including four reporting clinical effectiveness, 27 immunogenicity, and 12 reporting safety outcomes. PWH were 3% [risk ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.95-0.99] less likely to seroconvert and 5% less likely to demonstrate neutralization responses (risk ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.99) following a primary vaccine schedule. Having a CD4 + T-cell count less than 350 cells/μl (risk ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.83-0.99) compared with a CD4 + T-cell count more than 350 cells/μl, and receipt of a non-mRNA vaccine in PWH compared with controls (risk ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.77-0.96) were associated with reduced seroconversion. Two studies reported worse clinical outcomes in PWH.

CONCLUSION

Although vaccines appear well tolerated in PWH, this group experience poorer immunological responses following vaccination than controls, particularly with non-mRNA vaccines and low CD4 + T-cell counts. PWH should be prioritized for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, especially PWH with more advanced immunodeficiency.

Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Associated Factors Among Adults With and Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus in a Large, Integrated Healthcare System

BACKGROUND

Influenza vaccination is recommended for adults regardless of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. There may be facilitators or barriers to vaccinating people with HIV (PWH) that differ from people without HIV (PWoH). We sought to describe the uptake of influenza vaccination by HIV status and identify factors associated with vaccination.

METHODS

We abstracted data from the electronic health records of PWH and PWoH in Kaiser Permanente Northern California during 6 influenza seasons (2013-2018). We determined vaccination uptake and used Poisson regression models to evaluate factors associated with vaccination in PWH and PWoH.

RESULTS

9272 PWH and 194 393 PWoH matched by age, sex, and race/ethnicity were included (mean age: 48 vs 49 years; men: 91% vs 90%; White race: 53% for both groups). PWH were more likely to receive the influenza vaccine (65-69% across years for PWH and 37-41% for PWoH) with an adjusted risk ratio for all years of 1.48 (95% CI: 1.46-1.50). For PWH, lower vaccination uptake was associated with several factors that suggested more complex health needs, such as lower CD4 cell counts, higher HIV viral loads, prior depression diagnoses, having Medicare insurance, and having a higher number of comorbidities. Associations with vaccination uptake were attenuated in PWH, compared with PWoH, for smoking, alcohol, and demographic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

PWH had an almost 50% higher uptake of influenza vaccination than PWoH, possibly reflecting greater engagement with the healthcare system. We also found that PWH with more complex health needs had reduced vaccination uptake. Findings may inform outreach strategies to increase influenza vaccination in PWH.

Humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-COV-2 after vaccination with mRNA vaccines in PLWH with discordant immune response. Influence of the vaccine administered

Background

Data on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine immunogenicity in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) and discordant immune response (DIR) are currently limited. Therefore, we compare the immunogenicity of these vaccines in DIR and immunological responders (IR).

Methods

A prospective cohort that enrolled 89 participants. Finally, 22 IR and 24 DIR were analyzed before vaccination (T0), one (T1) and six months (T2) after receiving BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccine. Additionally, 10 IR and 16 DIR were evaluated after a third dose (T3). Anti-S-RBD IgG, neutralizing antibodies (nAb), neutralization activity, and specific memory B cells were quantified. Furthermore, specific CD4+ and CD8+ responses were determined by intracellular cytokine staining and polyfunctionality indexes (Pindex).

Results

At T1, all participants developed anti-S-RBD. 100% IR developed nAb compared to 83.3% DIR. Spike-specific B cells were detected in all IR and 21/24 DIR. Memory CD4+ T cells responded in 5/9 IR and 7/9 DIR, mainly based on the expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α, with a higher Pindex in DIR. Memory CD8+ T cells responded in only four participants in each group. At T2, anti-S-RBD and nAb titers were higher in DIR than in IR. In both groups, there was an increase in specific B memory cells, higher in DIR. Six IR and five DIR maintained a specific memory CD4+ response. Memory CD8+ response was preserved in IR but was lost in DIR. In a multivariate linear regression analysis, receiving mRNA-1273 instead of BNT162b2 played a prominent role in the results.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that PLWH with DIR can mount an immune response similar to those with higher CD4+, provided they receive the mRNA-1273 vaccine instead of others less immunogenic.

Immunogenicity and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Available data show that COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective in people living with HIV (PLWH) who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the immunogenicity and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in PLWH with healthy individuals.

METHODS

Pubmed/Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Risk ratios of seroconversion were separately pooled using random-effects meta-analysis, and a systematic review without meta-analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer levels was performed after the first and second doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies with 6522 subjects met the inclusion criteria. After the first vaccine dose, seroconversion in PLWH was comparable to that in healthy individuals. After a second dose, seroconversion was slightly lower in PLWH compared with healthy controls, and antibody titers did not seem to be significantly affected or reduced among participants of both groups.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 vaccines show favorable immunogenicity and efficacy in PLWH. A second dose is associated with consistently improved seroconversion, although it is slightly lower in PLWH than in healthy individuals. Additional strategies, such as a booster vaccination with messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccines, might improve seroprotection for these patients.

Relative efficacy of varicella vaccines: network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

Although varicella vaccination is highly effective, no head-to-head randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared the efficacy of different vaccine formulations. This study assessed the relative efficacy of different varicella vaccines using network meta-analysis (NMA).

METHODS

We estimated the relative efficacies of varicella vaccines and dosing regimens from RCTs using Bayesian NMA. Modeling-based time-series NMA (MBNMA) was performed, accounting for differences in time since vaccination, to extrapolate long-term vaccine efficacy (VE).

RESULTS

Eight RCTs were included based on systematic review of biomedical databases. Efficacy data were reported for four varicella-containing vaccines: Varivax (V-MSD, one and two dose), Varilrix (V-GSK, one dose), Priorix-Tetra (MMRV-GSK, one dose), and Sinovac (V-Sinovac, one dose). All varicella vaccines were effective versus no vaccination. Two-dose V-MSD (98.29%, 95% credible interval [CrI] 96.08-99.23) showed significantly higher VE versus all one-dose varicella-containing vaccines, but no significant difference versus two-dose MMRV-GSK (95.19%, 95% CrI 90.3-97.63). Two-dose MMRV-GSK showed higher VE than one-dose V-GSK (66.47%; 95% CrI 43.02-79.43), but no significant differences in VE versus one-dose V-MSD or one-dose V-Sinovac. In one-dose comparisons, V-MSD showed significantly higher VE (93.09%, 95% CrI 89.13-95.96) than V-GSK, but no significant difference versus V-Sinovac (89.22%; 95% CrI 67.1-96.5). MBNMA indicated that protection against varicella was sustained without waning over the 10 year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reported higher VE for two-dose V-MSD and MMRV-GSK. Among one-dose formulations, one-dose V-MSD was more efficacious than one-dose V-GSK. Policymakers should take into consideration differences in VE when implementing one- versus two-dose strategies in universal vaccination programs.

Vaccination for the Prevention of Infection among Immunocompromised Patients: A Concise Review of Recent Systematic Reviews

Vaccination is crucial for avoiding infection-associated morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. However, immunocompromised patients respond less well to vaccinations compared to healthy people, and little is known about the relative efficacy of various vaccines among different immunocompromised states. A total of 54 systematic reviews (22 COVID-19; 32 non-COVID-19) published within the last 5 years in Pubmed® were reviewed. They demonstrated similar patterns within three seroconversion response categories: good (about >60% when compared to healthy controls), intermediate (~40−60%), and poor (about <40%). Good vaccine responses would be expected for patients with chronic kidney disease, human immunodeficiency virus infection (normal CD4 counts), immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, post-splenectomy states, and solid tumors. Intermediate vaccine responses would be expected for patients with anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 therapy, hematologic cancer, and human immunodeficiency virus infection (low CD4 counts). Poor vaccine responses would be expected for patients with B-cell-depleting agents (e.g., anti-CD20 therapy), hematopoietic stem-cell transplant, solid organ transplant, and liver cirrhosis. For all vaccine response categories, vaccination should be timed when patients are least immunosuppressed. For the intermediate and poor vaccine response categories, high-dose vaccine, revaccination when patients are less immunosuppressed, checking for seroconversion, additional booster doses, and long-acting monoclonal antibodies may be considered, supplemented by shielding measures.

Comparative efficacy and safety of vaccines to prevent seasonal influenza: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background

Influenza is one of the most common respiratory viral infections worldwide. Numerous vaccines are used to prevent influenza. Their selection should be informed by the best available evidence. We aimed to estimate the comparative efficacy and safety of seasonal influenza vaccines in children, adults and the elderly.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). We searched the Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, and websites of regulatory agencies, through December 15th, 2020. We included placebo- or no vaccination-controlled, and head-to-head randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Pairs of reviewers independently screened the studies, abstracted the data, and appraised the risk of bias in accordance to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The primary outcome was laboratory-confirmed influenza. We also synthesized data for hospitalization, mortality, influenza-like illness (ILI), pneumonia or lower respiratory-tract disease, systemic and local adverse events (AEs). We estimated summary risk ratios (RR) using pairwise and NMA with random effects. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018091895.

Findings

We identified 13,439 citations. A total of 231 RCTs were included after screening: 11 studies did not provide useful data for the analysis; 220 RCTs [100,677 children (< 18 years) and 329,127 adults (18-60 years) and elderly (≥ 61 years)] were included in the NMA. In adults and the elderly, all vaccines, except the trivalent inactivated intradermal vaccine (3-IIV ID), were more effective than placebo in reducing the risk of laboratory-confirmed influenza, with a RR between 0.33 (95% credible interval [CrI] 0.21-0.55) for trivalent inactivated high-dose (3-IIV HD) and 0.56 (95% CrI 0.41-0.74) for trivalent live-attenuated vaccine (3-LAIV). In adults and the elderly, compared with trivalent inactivated vaccine (3-IIV), no significant differences were found for any, except 3-LAIV, which was less efficacious [RR 1.41 (95% CrI 1.04-1.88)]. In children, compared with placebo, RR ranged between 0.13 (95% CrI 0.03-0.51) for trivalent inactivated vaccine adjuvanted with MF59/AS03 and 0.55 (95% CrI 0.36-0.83) for trivalent inactivated vaccine. Compared with 3-IIV, 3-LAIV and trivalent inactivated adjuvanted with MF59/AS03 were more efficacious [RR 0.52 (95% CrI 0.32-0.82) and RR 0.23 (95% CrI 0.06-0.87)] in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza. With regard to safety, higher systemic AEs rates after vaccination with 3-IIV, 3-IIV HD, 3-IIV ID, 3-IIV MF59/AS03-adj, quadrivalent inactivated (4-IIV), quadrivalent adjuvanted (4-IIV MF59/AS03-adj), quadrivalent recombinant (4-RIV), 3-LAIV or quadrivalent live attenuated (4-LAIV) vaccines were noted in adults and the elderly [RR 1.5 (95% CrI 1.18-1.89) to 1.15 (95% CrI 1.06-1.23)] compared with placebo. In children, the systemic AEs rate after vaccination was not significantly higher than placebo.

Interpretation

All vaccines cumulatively achieved major reductions in the incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza in children, adults, and the elderly. While the live-attenuated was more efficacious than the inactivated vaccine in children, many vaccine types can be used in adults and the elderly.

Funding

The directorate general of welfare, Lombardy region.

Impact of HIV-1 Vpr manipulation of the DNA repair enzyme UNG2 on B lymphocyte class switch recombination

Background

HIV-1 Vpr encodes a 14 kDa protein that has been implicated in viral pathogenesis through modulation of several host cell functions. In addition to pro-apoptotic and cytostatic properties, Vpr can redirect cellular E3 ubiquitin ligases (such as DCAF1-Cul4A E3 ligase complex) to target many host proteins and interfere with their functions. Among them, Vpr binds the uracil DNA glycosylase UNG2, which controls genome uracilation, and induces its specific degradation leading to loss of uracil removal activity in infected cells. Considering the essential role of UNG2 in antibody diversification in B-cells, we evaluated the impact of Vpr on UNG2 fate in B lymphocytes and examined the functional consequences of UNG2 modulations on class switch recombination (CSR).

Methods

The impact of Vpr-induced UNG2 deregulation on CSR proficiency was evaluated by using virus-like particles able to deliver Vpr protein to target cells including the murine model CSR B cell line CH12F3 and mouse primary B-cells. Co-culture experiments were used to re-examine the ability of Vpr to be released by HIV-1 infected cells and to effectively accumulate in bystander B-cells. Vpr-mediated UNG2 modulations were monitored by following UNG2 protein abundance and uracil removal enzymatic activity.

Results

In this study we report the ability of Vpr to reduce immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR) in immortalized and primary mouse B-cells through the degradation of UNG2. We also emphasize that Vpr is released by producing cells and penetrates bystander B lymphocytes.

Conclusions

This work therefore opens up new perspectives to study alterations of the B-cell response by using Vpr as a specific CSR blocking tool. Moreover, our results raise the question of whether extracellular HIV-1 Vpr detected in some patients may manipulate the antibody diversification process that engineers an adapted response against pathogenic intruders and thereby contribute to the intrinsic B-cell humoral defect reported in infected patients.

Immunogenicity and safety of different dosing schedules of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in pregnant women with HIV: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Standard-dose, seasonal, trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine induces moderate-to-low haemagglutination-inhibition antibody responses in people living with HIV. This study assessed the immunogenicity and safety of different dosing schedules of inactivated influenza vaccine in pregnant women living with HIV in South Africa.

METHODS

In this double-blind, randomised, controlled trial, we recruited pregnant women with HIV from seven antenatal clinics in Soweto, South Africa. Pregnant women were eligible if they were aged 18-38 years, infected with HIV, and had an estimated gestational age of 12-36 weeks. Women were randomly assigned (1:1:1), using a computer-generated randomisation list, to receive inactivated influenza vaccine containing 15 μg of each of the three seasonal influenza strains for that year, as a single dose, a double dose, or two single doses 1 month apart. Participants and study personnel were masked to group allocation. Haemagglutination-inhibition antibody responses were measured for all groups in the mothers at enrolment and at 1 month after each vaccine dose, and in the single-dose and double-dose groups within 7 days of birth in the neonates. Immunogenicity analyses only included women with visits 28-35 days apart and infants who were born at least 28 days after maternal immunisation. The primary was seroconversion rate to each of the vaccine strains in the mothers 1 month after completion of the dosing schedule, and the primary safety outcomes were frequency of local and systemic reactions. Safety was assessed in mothers and infants until 24 weeks post partum and analysed in all participants who received at least one dose of vaccine. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01527825, and is closed to accrual.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 11, and June 6, 2013, 800 pregnant women living with HIV were enrolled and randomly assigned to the single-dose (n=266), double-dose (n=265), or two-single-doses (n=269) group. In the analysable population, seroconversion rates in mothers 1 month after the final vaccine dose were significantly higher in the double-dose group (n=230; ranging from 29% to 65% for the three vaccine strains) than in the single-dose group (n=230; ranging from 18% to 49%; p≤0·019 for the three vaccine strains), but were similar between the two-single-doses group (n=220; ranging from 23% to 52%) and the single-dose group (p≥0·20 for the three vaccine strains). Safety outcomes were similar in the three groups, except for more injection-site reactions in recipients in the double-dose group.

INTERPRETATION

A regimen of double-dose inactivated influenza vaccine gave slightly greater immunogenicity than did a single-dose regimen in pregnant women living with HIV. However, immunogenicity in the double-dose group was still lower than historical data from the same setting in pregnant women without HIV. More immunogenic vaccines are needed for pregnant women living with HIV to enhance transplacental transfer of vaccine-induced protective antibodies to their newborn infants.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Continued consideration for high dose influenza vaccine in persons living with HIV

High dose-inactivated influenza vaccine (HD IIV3) is currently recommended only for patients who are 65 or older, whereas other potential risk groups, such as people living with HIV, are excluded from this recommendation. There is a potential that persons living with HIV may be at an increased risk of complications secondary to influenza. HD IIV3 has been associated with increased rates of seroconversion, seroprotection and hemagglutinin inhibition geometric mean titers in comparison to standard dose-inactivated influenza vaccine in this population. Despite the major impact that combination antiretroviral therapy has on this population, further consideration of HD IIV3 may be valuable until virological suppression is widely achieved.