Influence of antiretroviral therapy on immunogenicity of simultaneous vaccinations against influenza, pneumococcal disease and hepatitis A and B in human immunodeficiency virus positive individuals

Objectives: Immune response to many vaccinations is impaired in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients. Methods: A total of n = 131 HIV positive patients were vaccinated against influenza, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A and B, with n = 82 patients (62.6%) receiving 2 or more simultaneous vaccinations. Safety and immunogenicity of simultaneous vaccinations were assessed. Current antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens were evaluated as potential predictors for antibody response. Results: Immune response rates were 45% (influenza), 68% (pneumococcus), 63.6% (hepatitis A) and 62.5% (hepatitis B). Adverse reactions after vaccination were documented in 2 of 131 patients (1.5%). No statistically significant difference between pre- and post-vaccination CD4+ T-cell counts (CD4) and HIV plasma load was observed. 85% of patients received ART containing nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors and/or protease inhibitors (PI). Higher ratio of CD4 to CD8 and intake of PI were statistically significant, independent predictors for antibody response after influenza vaccination (OR 1.9 and 2.8, p = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). Conclusions: Simultaneous vaccinations in HIV positive patients were safe and well tolerated. The positive effect of PI on antibody response after influenza vaccination should be confirmed in larger studies.