Antibody Response to Pneumococcal, Influenza, and COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients With Multiple Myeloma.

INTRODUCTION

Vaccination for common pathogens implicated in causing respiratory illness in patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) is now recommended by most experts. However, there is limited data regarding the effectiveness of vaccination in these patients.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study on the efficacy of pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccination in patients with newly diagnosed MM treated at our center between January and June 2021.

RESULTS

Thirty patients completed the vaccination and were analyzed for the effectiveness of the vaccines. A significant rise in pneumococcal (2.87 U/ml vs. 0.68 U/ml; P < .001), Influenza (0.25 IU/L vs. 0.08 IU/L; P < 0.001) and COVID-19 (3.86 IU/L vs. 0.24 IU/L; P < .001) antibody titres was seen in our patients. Nineteen patients (63.3%), 16 patients (53.3%), and 16 patients (53.3%) achieved seroconversion for pneumococcus, influenza, and COVID-19 postvaccination, respectively, and exhibited a 4-fold rise in antibody titer. No serious adverse events were reported after vaccination in the cohort. During the 6-month follow-up, ten patients developed respiratory tract infections- 4 with lower respiratory tract and 6 with upper respiratory tract infections. None of the patients had infections attributable to pneumococcus, influenza, or COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed a 50% to 60% seroconversion after vaccination against 3 common respiratory pathogens in patients with newly diagnosed MM.