BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) supports the use of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for persons living with HIV (PLWH)

published on January 7, 2021

VANCOUVER, BC Tuesday 5 January 2021 - The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) Committee for Drug Evaluation and Therapy (CDET) has completed the evaluation of the available data regarding the use of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for persons living with HIV (PLWH).

Based on the committee’s opinion, the BC-CfE supports the use of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to protect PLWH aged 18 years or older against COVID-19 related disease, if they meet current public health criteria for priority groups and if they have no contraindications to the product.

Although data for use of the mRNA vaccines in PLWH is limited, CDET expects similar vaccine responses to those without HIV. The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are not live-virus vaccines and are not known to be associated with more serious adverse events amongst immunocompromised individuals. It should be noted immune response may potentially be sub-optimal in those that are immunocompromised. PLWH on antiretroviral therapy with undetectable HIV plasma viral load and CD4 count above 200/mm3 are likely to have an intact immune response and at no additional risk, if vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

The efficacy and safety of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines is less clear amongst individuals with a detectable HIV plasma viral load or CD4 count below 200/mm3. This is because PLWH who met these criteria were not included in these vaccine studies. These individuals may be offered the vaccine after risk/benefit counselling under the guidance of experienced health practitioners.

Dr. Val Montessori, Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at St. Paul's Hospital and co-chair of the CDET, said “Many PLWH fall into priority groups for COVID vaccination such as health care providers or long-term care workers or residents. It is critical these PLWH be immunized against COVID as per public health guidelines."

The full BC-CfE Statement on the Use of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Persons Living with HIV (dated December 18, 2020) can be found here.

Also available for your reference is the BC-CfE’s Interim Recommendations for COVID-19 and Persons with HIV (updated November 2020). This document, found here, provides guidance on the management and monitoring of HIV in the current environment. The BC-CfE will be reviewing and updating these recommendations, as required when new data emerge.

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About the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is Canada’s largest HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education facility – nationally and internationally recognized as an innovative world leader in combating HIV/AIDS and related diseases. The made-in- BC Treatment as Prevention strategy (TasP ) pioneered by BC-CfE, and supported by UNAIDS since 2011, inspired the ambitious global target for HIV treatment - known as the 90-90-90 Target - to end AIDS as a pandemic by 2030. The BC-CfE is applying TasP to therapeutic areas beyond HIV/AIDS, including viral hepatitis and addiction™, to promote Targeted Disease Elimination as a means to contribute to healthcare sustainability. The BC-CfE works in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including government, health authorities, health care providers, academics, and the community to decrease the health burden of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and addictions across Canada and around the world.

For more information, please contact:
BC-CfE Communications Coordinator Edmond Chu Cell: 236-885-4617
Email: echu@bccfe.ca

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BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) supports the use of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for persons living with HIV (PLWH)

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