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Immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 vaccine in frail or disabled nursing home residents: COVID‐A study
Author(s) -
Salmerón Ríos Sergio,
Mas Romero Marta,
Cortés Zamora Elisa Belén,
Tabernero Sahuquillo María Teresa,
Romero Rizos Luis,
SánchezJurado Pedro Manuel,
SánchezNievas Ginés,
Señalada José Joaquín Blas,
García Nogueras Inmaculada,
Estrella Cazalla Juan de Dios,
AndrésPretel Fernando,
Murillo Romero Antonio,
Lauschke Volker Martin,
Stebbing Justin,
Abizanda Pedro
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.17153
Subject(s) - medicine , immunogenicity , covid-19 , confidence interval , cohort , cohort study , adverse effect , gerontology , immunology , disease , antibody , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Abstract Background/Objectives The safety and immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine in older adults with different frailty and disability profiles have not been well determined. Our objective was to analyze immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine in older adults across frailty and disability profiles. Design Multicenter longitudinal cohort study. Setting and participants A total of 134 residents aged ≥65 years with different frailty and disability profiles in five long‐term care facilities (LTCFs) in Albacete, Spain. Intervention and measurements Residents were administered two vaccine doses as per the label, and antibody levels were determined 21.9 days (SD 9.3) after both the first and second dose. Functional variables were assessed using activities of daily living (Barthel Index), and frailty status was determined with the FRAIL instrument. Cognitive status and comorbidity were also evaluated. Results Mean age was 82.9 years (range 65–99), and 71.6% were female. The mean antibody titers in residents with and without previous COVID‐19 infection were 49,878 AU/ml and 15,274 AU/ml, respectively (mean difference 34,604; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 27,699–41,509). No severe adverse reactions were observed, after either vaccine dose. Those with prevaccination COVID‐19 had an increased antibody level after the vaccine ( B = 31,337; 95% CI: 22,725–39,950; p < 0.001). Frailty, disability, older age, sex, cognitive impairment, or comorbidities were not associated with different antibody titers. Conclusions The BNT162b2 mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine in older adults is safe and produces immunogenicity, independently of the frailty and disability profiles. Older adults in LTCFs should receive a COVID‐19 vaccine.