The research highlights the urgent need for these patients to access a third and, if necessary, a fourth vaccine
New research conducted by the Scottish Renal Registry (SRR) on behalf of Public Health Scotland has found that the risk of death following a COVID-19 infection remains high even after two doses of vaccines in patients who require dialysis or have a kidney transplant. The research is led by Dr Samira Bell, of the University of Dundee, as chair of SRR. The research highlights the urgent need for these patients to access a third and, if necessary, a fourth vaccine.
The patients on dialysis or with a kidney transplant have a weakened immune system and therefore have a substantially increased risk of death after infection with COVID-19 than the general population. While vaccination against COVID-19 has been shown to reduce risk of death and hospitalisation, the new research, published in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology, shows that two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine has limited impact on the infection and its complications in this patient group.
Explaining the study, Dr Samira Bell Clinical Sen Lecturer/Honorary Cons, School of Medicine, University of Dundee said, “We examined the effect of two doses of COVID-19 vaccines in patients on dialysis and with a transplant in Scotland by using linkage of real-world data for the entire Scottish population of patients. Our aim was to establish the effect of two doses on rates of infection and patient outcomes such as death and hospitalisation. Our work shows that whilst outcomes following two doses of COVID-19 vaccine are improved, there is still a nine percent risk of death following infection in this patient group. This highlights the urgent need for a third dose of vaccine.”
She also added, “I strongly recommend that any patients on dialysis or with a kidney transplant ensure they receive a full course of vaccination including a third dose, and a fourth dose in the case of kidney transplant patients”.
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