SARS-CoV2 Vaccination immunogenicity
in Immunosuppressed inflammatory bowel disease Patients
STUDY UPDATES
IMPORTANT - PLEASE LET YOUR LOCAL SITES KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR 3RD PRIMARY DOSE OR BOOSTER.
We are very grateful for all your help with the VIP Study. It is really inportant that you let your local site know when you have received the 3rd primary dose or booster. The second blood sample is taken between 28-49 days after this vaccination dose. Thank you
NEWSLETTER FOR STUDY PARTICIPANTS
The first newsletter has been sent out to study participants:
Firstly, we would like to say a big thank you for taking part in the study!
Thanks to your help and support, we are gathering vital information to help us understand the impact of IBD medications on immune responses to the COVID-19 virus and vaccination.
We are aiming to recruit 600+ participants. The good news is that over 500 participants have now been recruited, and most have already provided a first blood sample. NB if you haven’t got an appointment for your first blood collection yet can you please email your local site.
THE TIMING OF SECOND BLOOD TEST HAS CHANGED
Dynamic Study design.
We have changed the study design slightly and are asking participants to attend for a second blood collection visit 28-49 days post 3rd dose of COVID vaccination.
IMPORTANT: If you have already recieved your 3rd dose/booster or have a date, can you please contact your local site to arrange a second blood test. Thank you.
3rd Dose/ Booster Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.
Evidence is emerging that people who are immunosuppressed may mount a less effective immune response following COVID vaccination. Following the recent government announcements on third doses and booster doses of COVID vaccines, the British Society of Gastroenterology https://www.bsg.org.uk/covid-19-advice/british-society-of-gastroenterology-inflammatory-bowel-disease-section-and-ibd-clinical-research-group-position-statement-on-sars-cov2-vaccination/ is advising all immunosuppressed IBD patients to receive a third dose of vaccine. This advice applies to all IBD participants in the VIP study. Please contact your GP and/or local vaccine centre to arrange your third dose.
Some participants in the VIP study who do not have IBD are eligible for a booster dose (e.g. those 50 years or older, those with other underlying health conditions putting them at higher risk of COVID-19 and healthcare workers).
COVID ANTIBODY 'N' AND 'S' RESULTS
COVID-19 antibody results.
We are currently analysing the COVID antibody levels from the first set of blood samples and we are in the process of passing on results to individual participants via email. Participants will recieve a 'positive or negative for both the N and the S antibody.
What are COVID antobodies?
Your body makes antibodies when you get an infection or are vaccinated. They help fight the infection. The antibody test you have had done in the VIP study checks for antibodies in the blood and can tell you if it's likely you've had coronavirus before and/or been vaccinated. An antibody test is different to a test that checks if you have coronavirus now.
It is important to understand that we don't yet know what a positive 'N' or 'S' antibody test means in terms of level of protection against COVID-19. Currently the UK government hasn't recommended routine 'S' spike antibody testing in the NHS or offered guidance as to what to do for people with a negative 'S' antibody test after vaccination. Importantly, the British Society of Gastroenterology is recommending that all immunosuppressed IBD patients should now receive a third dose of SARS-CoV2 vaccination, and the result of your antibody test does not change this guidance.