London HIV study of responses to COVID-19 vaccines and natural infection (SCAPE)

Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

A study enrolling at the Royal Free Hospital (RFH) in London is looking to look at immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in people living with HIV. [1]

This will include responses both to natural infection and to vaccinations against COVID-19.

The results will help understand how HIV affects risk for COVID-19 and whether alternative vaccines strategies are needed for some HIV positive people.

The study involves one additional blood sample, with additional samples dependent on the initial results together with a questionnaire on COVID risk.

The study is being run by Dr Tristan Barber and is open to all HIV positive people whose HIV care is at the RFH. [2]

comment

This is an easy study to recommend.

Currently there is very limited data in HIV positive people and this is generally only in people with high CD4 counts and undetectable viral load on ART.

There are increasing reports of limited vaccine responses in people with significant immune suppression without clear guidelines for managing care in this situation.

References

1. SARS CoV-2 antibody prevalence in an adult HIV cohort (SCAPE-HIV Study). IRAS ID 290112. (Note this listing needs updating).
   https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/application-summaries/research-summaries/scape-hiv
2. Contact for the research team is 020 7472 6232.