Reduced immunogenicity of the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

The emergence and spread of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are causing a growing global public health crisis. Despite advances in treatment, vaccination remains the best way to contain the pandemic [1]. Vaccines are currently available by means of conditional marketing approval, full approval and emergency use authorization pathways [2]. Evidence suggest that immunocompromised individuals including solid organ transplants recipients and patients under immunosuppressive treatment may have increased mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection despite double dose messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine regimens [3]. This is partially attributed to blunted immune responses to vaccination since only 38–54% of kidney and liver transplant recipients developed detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies following the second dose of mRNA vaccines [3, 4].

COVID-19 in Patients with Chronic Lung Disease

“… 83 Similarly, patients with IPF did not mount expected anti-spike antibody responses to two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA, irrespective of current antifibrotic treatment. 84 Anecdotally, acute exacerbation of IPF have been reported after vaccine administration in people with ILD related autoimmune diseases and IPF. These episodes might suggest that the immune response induced by the vaccine may activate a pathobiological cascades leading to the acute exacerbation in susceptible patients.…”