Immunogenicity and safety of the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases undergoing immunosuppressive therapy in a monocentric cohort

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination plays a fundamental role in mastering the COVID‐19 pandemic and protecting vulnerable groups. Persons with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) requiring immunosuppressive therapies are prioritized for vaccination. However, data concerning immunogenicity and safety of the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine in immunosuppressed patients are not found. This study presents data on the efficacy and safety of the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine in immunosuppressed patients compared to healthy controls. METHODS: Study population consisted of 100 healthy controls and 100 patients with AIIRD. Vaccination was performed according to national guidelines with the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine. SARS‐CoV‐2 neutralizing antibody titers were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay before initial vaccination and 1–3 months after secondary vaccination. Adverse events were assessed before study initiation and 7 days after the second dose. Disease activity was studied before entering the study and 3–8 weeks after the second dose. RESULTS: Vaccination‐induced positive immunogenic response rates and SARS‐CoV‐2 neutralizing antibody titers were significantly lower in the AIIRD patients than healthy subjects (p < .05). There are significant differences in neutralizing antibody titers among patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis, and ankylosing spondylitis (p < .01–.05). The rates of seropositive vaccine responses were similarly distributed across all diseases. Healthy and AIIRD individuals had a similar profile in adverse events. No significant difference was observed in SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody titers between subjects suffering from side effects and those who did not have. SARS‐CoV‐2 neutralizing antibody levels were significantly higher in subjects with a history of COVID‐19 infection than seronegative individuals (p < .01–0.05). Seropositive subjects had a significant increase in the percentage of vaccine‐related adverse events compared to seronegative persons (p < .05). Despite a minor change in the disease activity of patients with RA and SLE, disease activity indices were overall stable in the AIIRD patients. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine is effective in the development of neutralizing antibodies in immunosuppressed patients without considerable reactogenicity or induction of disease flares.