The effect of a single dose of BNT162b2 vaccine on the incidence of severe COVID-19 infection in patients on chronic hemodialysis: a single-centre study

Introduction In this single-centre retrospective observational study, the 8-week safety and the efficiency of a single dose of BNT162b2 vaccine was studied in 83 HD patients. Methods All clinically stable adult ESRD patients on chronic HD for at least 4 weeks were screened for participation in the study. Exclusion criteria for enrollment in the study included a medical history of COVID-19 infection within the last 12 weeks or delivery of both vaccine doses less than 8 weeks apart from each other. The same patients during the 8-week period that preceded the vaccination served as controls of themselves. The vaccine was administered intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle, on a dialysis day, at least 30 min either pre- or post-dialysis. The primary end-point of the study was severe COVID-19 infection, and/or death due to COVID-19 pneumonitis. Furthermore, all vaccinated patients were scrutinized for any local or systemic reactions within the first 7 days post-vaccination. Results Amongst 113 adult HD patients in our Unit, in total 83 patients had the first 30 mu g dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine and were considered eligible to be included in the study. The 8-week survival rate was 91% for the controls and 100% for the vaccine group. No life-threatening allergic reaction or other side-effect was observed post-vaccination. Conclusion The BNT162b2 vaccine can be safely used in HD patients and seems to offer significant protection against the infection even after the first vaccine dose.

Automated summary

This single-center study found that the BNT162b2 vaccine was safe and effective in HD patients, providing significant protection against infection even after the first dose. No life-threatening allergic reactions or other serious side effects were observed post-vaccination.