Publication date: Sep 18, 2024
The inactivated COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated high efficacy in the general population through extensive clinical and real-world studies. However, its effectiveness in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those living with HIV (PLWH), remains limited. In this study, 20 PLWH and 15 HIV-seronegative individuals were recruited to evaluate the immunogenicity of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in PLWH through a prospective cohort study. The median age of the 20 PLWH and 15 HIV-seronegative individuals was 42 years and 31 years, respectively. Of the PLWH, nine had been on ART for over five years. The median anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD IgG antibody level on d was higher than that on d (8188. 7 ng/mL vs. 3200. 9 ng/mL, P < 0. 05). Following COVID-19 infection, the antibody level increased to 29,872. 5 ng/mL on d, 12. 19 times higher than that on d. Compared with HIV-seronegative individuals, the antibody level in PLWH was lower on d (183. 3 ng/mL vs. 509. 3 ng/mL, P < 0. 01), while there was no difference after d. The symptoms of COVID-19 infection in PLWH were comparable to those in HIV-seronegative individuals. In this study, the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated good immunogenicity in PLWH. The protective benefit of booster vaccinations for PLWH cannot be ignored. Implementing a booster vaccination policy for PLWH is an effective approach to providing better protection against the COVID-19 pandemic.