I found this on the Imperial Collage London Site. I dont know if its of any use to anyone.
After a single dose of vaccine, only about one third of participants (103 of 328) treated exclusively with infliximab generated adequate levels of antibodies to the virus for the vaccine to be considered effective.
In participants simultaneously taking infliximab and immunomodulator drugs, such as azathioprine or methotrexate, the levels of antibodies were even lower after a single vaccine dose; only 125 of 537 met the threshold of a positive antibody test.
However, in a sub-group of people who had previously been infected with COVID-19, and also in the few patients studied who had already had a second dose of vaccine, the vaccine-triggered antibody responses rose significantly, indicating an effective response after two exposures. Based on these observations, the researchers conclude that people taking anti-TNF drugs should be considered a priority for a second vaccination.
I'm on Infliximab and Methotrexate and I've been fully vaccinated (Astra Zeneca). As part of the ONS Covid survey, I've had 5 antibody blood tests; no antibodies have appeared.....I thought I'd have a sub-optimal result but was not expecting to have a zero result. There seems little point in having a booster jab but I will because I have nothing to lose! I'm continuing to wear a mask in shops and I'm not meeting up in big groups but I'm not going back to shielding voluntarily.
Has anyone else had zero antibodies after 2 vaccinations?
I'm on adalimumab and I didn't shield. I have been careful and still wear a mask and have been lucky so far. I was lucky to have medical grade n99 masks from the beginning and put me not getting covid down to that tbh. I also had astra although my GP messed my grouping up and I only got it for being over 50. Even then I only had it because I went online and not because I was called.
Never had an antibody test but would be curious what the result would be
That's interesting, chunkypie. I take methotrexate and infliximab and have had two pfizer jabs - the first in December 2020, the second in January 2021 - just 3 weeks apart. It's now 7 months since the second jab so whatever effect the jabs might have had must have evaporated by now. I shall make sure my GP books me in for the booster as the news from Imperial College doesn't sound very good. I haven't had an anti-body test.
Thank you for your post. I'm also ancient - 86 - so that's another handicap!
Penny Ward, Visiting Professor in Pharmaceutical Medicine at Kings College in London, said the news bode well for people who have responded poorly to vaccination or who must take immune-suppressants for post-transplant, autoimmune disease and other conditions.
"It could potentially be game changing for these individuals, who are currently being advised to continue to shield despite being fully vaccinated," she said.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.