Reactogenicity and immunogenicity after inoculation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in dialysis care workers

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Being an active healthcare worker is a high-risk factor for contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The implementation of vaccination programs is the best option available to solve this problem. In Spain, healthcare professionals have been vaccinated as a matter of priority. Objective: To assess, through blood antibody counts, the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV2 vaccines in dialysis personnel and related factors. Material and Method: Observational, cross-sectional and multicentric descriptive study. Results: 167 participants, all vaccinated with RNA vaccines. 15% have previously passed the infection. 96.4% have developed antibodies (mean of 15,776 +/-13,640). Those professionals who have previously passed the infection have a significantly higher average number of antibodies than those who have not (23,532 vs 14,381) (p=0.05). The presence of symptoms such as fatigue, headache, fever, and myalgia is also related with a significantly greater reactivity (p=0.004). There is no significant relationship between reactivity and sex, age, BMI, or workplace. Conclusions: Immunogenicity caused by RNA vaccines administered to dialysis personnel has been almost complete. Suffering post-vaccination adverse effects such as fatigue, headaches, fever, nausea, pain, and having previously passed the infection is related to a greater reactivity, manifested by the development of an increased number of antibodies. © 2021, Sociedad Espanola de Enfermeria Nefrologica. All rights reserved.