A large number of the investigations of COVID-19 vaccines at first restricted their enrollment to members who didn’t have other medical conditions. After early investigations showed that the vaccines were safe in the more extensive population, individuals with HIV have started to partake in examinations. (4)
Notwithstanding restricted information, accessible data proposes current WHO suggested COVID-19 antibodies (Pfizer/BioNtech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Johnson&Johnson) are ok for individuals living with HIV. The currently accessible vaccines are not live vaccines (, they incorporate hereditary material from SARS-CoV-2 which can’t recreate. Accordingly, these antibodies are not expected to be less protected in individuals who are immunocompromised. Furthermore, no pharmacological associations have been accounted for between COVID-19 antibodies and antiretroviral prescriptions which individuals living with HIV should keep on taking after inoculation to look after well-being. (1)
Are people living with HIV more vulnerable to COVID-19?
According to British HIV Association (BHIVA); the people at higher risk may include:
People with a CD4 count less than 50
People with a serious HIV-related illness (e.g. an opportunistic infection) in the last 6 months (2)
People with a CD4 count between 50 and 200 with other issues that increase the risk of getting very sick such as:
Low nadir CD4 (the lowest CD4 before starting HIV treatment) (3)
Detectable viral load
Also, according to a recently published research review by Jose M Miro group at University of Barcelona, Department of Medicine:
“Although it initially appeared that HIV infection was not a risk factor for COVID-19 or more severe disease, more recent large studies suggest that people living with HIV (particularly with low CD4 cell counts or untreated HIV infection) might have a more severe clinical course than those who are HIV-negative. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted HIV prevention and treatment services worldwide, creating huge challenges to the continuity of essential activities. We have reviewed the most relevant features of COVID-19 in people living with HIV and highlighted topics where further research is required.” (5)
References:
1- https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-covid-19-vaccines-and-people-living-with-hiv
2- https://www.avert.org/living-with-hiv/health-wellbeing/health-conditions
3- https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/glossary/nadir
4- https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/have-covid-19-vaccines-been-tested-people-hiv
5- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351107552_Overview_of_SARS-CoV-2_infection_in_adults_living_with_HIV