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Results of study into the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for people with weaker immune systems
Back in 2021, we approached you, the cystic fibrosis community, to see if you’d like to take part in the MELODY study to help assess the level of protection the COVID-19 vaccination gives to those who are immunocompromised.
The study, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in collaboration with several health charities including Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Kidney Research UK, Blood Cancer UK and Vasculitis UK looked to see whether three or more doses of COVID vaccine offer additional protection, and measure the levels of antibodies in participants across the space of six months.
Antibodies are produced by the immune system to help fight infection and vaccines help to produce these, by triggering the immune system into making antibodies. However, if your immune system is weak, a vaccine might not be as effective, and you may not produce enough antibodies.
This study found that people who were younger, had more doses of COVID vaccine, and had previously had COVID-19 were more likely to have antibodies. It also found that while 23% of people with transplants who took part in the study didn’t have COVID antibodies 76.7% of people post-transplant did.
This study, which we collaborated on, has encouragingly revealed that many people with weaker immune systems, including those who have had a transplant, did have antibodies after multiple doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. It also provides useful information to improve outcomes for those who did not produce antibodies.
Dr Keith Brownlee, Director of Medical Affairs at Cystic Fibrosis Trust
Though there are lots of new and emerging treatments for people with cystic fibrosis underway, studies like this will ensure we can best protect people with CF from COVID infections in the future, and keep everyone with weaker immune systems as safe and well as possible.
We are proud to have supported this important work to understand the success of vaccines in protecting patients who have had a kidney transplant from Covid-19. It is encouraging to see that so many patients in this group respond well to vaccination and we eagerly anticipate the next set of results which will help healthcare professionals to identify and assist patients who remain at risk of serious complications from Covid-19 even after vaccination.
Elaine Davies, director of research operations at Kidney Research UK
Click here to read the study in full
If you have any queries, or need support, reach out to our Helpline at 0300 373 1000 or 020 3795 2184, Monday–Friday 10am–4pm, or on [email protected].
COVID-19
Here, you can look at some of the commonly asked questions about COVID-19 and how it affects people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their families.
Support with transplant decisions
The Trust’s transplant information resources provide advice and support for adults and children with CF, and their friends and family, to help them understand what it might mean for their loved one.