Third primary SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines enhance antibody responses in most patients with haematological malignancies.

SARS-CoV-2 infection, and resulting disease, COVID-19, has a high mortality amongst patients with haematological malignancies. Global vaccine rollouts have reduced hospitalisations and deaths, but vaccine efficacy in patients with haematological malignancies is known to be reduced. The UK-strategy offered a third, mRNA-based, vaccine as an extension to the primary course in these patients. The MARCH database is a retrospective observational study of serological responses in patients with blood disorders. Here we present data on 381 patients with haematological malignancies. By comparison with healthy controls, we report suboptimal responses following two primary vaccines, with significantly enhanced responses following the third primary dose. These responses however are heterogeneous and determined by haematological malignancy sub-type and therapy. We identify a group of patients with continued suboptimal vaccine responses who may benefit from additional doses, prophylactic extended half-life neutralising monoclonal therapies (nMAB) or prompt nMAB treatment in the event of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Quality of life and associated factors on employees of a public university working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 imposed restrictions to movement, generating new work dynamics especially in the education sector, where remote working has become the rule. The overlapping of work-related and domestic tasks and the fear of the virus generated an additional burden to workers, with unknown effects on their quality of life. Objectives: To estimate the quality of life of employees of the education sector who were working remotely during the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and identify associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed with a sample of 317 government employees of a federal university between August 25 2020 and September 11 2020. Standardized questionnaires concerning sociodemographic and economic aspects were constructed using the Google Forms tool. The European Health Interview Survey - Quality of Life 8-item index was used to assess quality of life. Multiple linear regression was used to check for associations between variables using quality of life scores as outcome (alpha value of 5%). This research proposal was approved by the National Research Ethics Commission, with a Certificate of Presentation for Ethical Appreciation No. 33636220.1.0000.0056. Results: The European Health Interview Survey - Quality of Life 8-item index resulted in mean adjusted scores of 3.5 ± 1.9. Quality of life was independently associated with age (ß = 0.01, 95% confidence interval 0.00 to 0.02, p = 0.015), physical activity (ß = 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.00 to 0.38, p = 0.049), smoking habits (ß = 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.19 to 0.88, p = 0.002), having a dedicated workspace (ß = 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.02 to 0.26, p = 0.023), performing housework (ß =-0.20, 95% confidence interval-0.32 to-0.08, p < 0.001), financial difficulties (ß =-0.26, 95% confidence interval-0.40 to-0.12, p < 0.001), and the impact of social distancing at work (ß =-0.33, 95% confidence interval-0.47 to-0.19, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The level of quality of life within the sample was reasonable; it was higher among older participants who were physically active and did not smoke, and lower when the socioeconomic situation was unfavorable. This highlights the importance of constructing support strategies while the effects of the pandemic linger.

Third primary SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic mRNA vaccines enhances antibody responses in the majority of patients with haematological malignancies: Results from the MARCH study (preprint)

SARS-CoV-2 infection, and resulting disease, COVID-19, has a high mortality amongst patients with haematological malignancies. Global vaccine rollouts have successfully reduced hospitalisations and deaths, but the efficacy of vaccination in patients with haematological malignancies is known to be reduced. The UK-strategy offered a third, mRNA-based, vaccine as an extension to the primary course in these patients. Here we quantify serological responses following these vaccines in a cohort of 381 patients with haematological malignancies attending routine haematology outpatient clinics. By comparison with healthy controls, we report suboptimal responses following two primary vaccines, with significantly enhanced responses following the third primary dose. These responses however are heterogeneous and determined by haematological malignancy sub-type and therapy. We identify a group of patients with continued sub-optimal vaccine responses who may benefit from additional doses, as well as early intervention with monoclonal therapies in the event of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection.