HIV infection and the implication for COVID-19 vaccination.

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with altered cellular and humoral immune response, especially in patients with an untreated or chronic infection. This may be due to direct and/or indirect HIV viral activities resulting in T- and B-cells dysfunctions. Although still unclear, various studies have proposed that HIV infection may exacerbate the clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Indeed, COVID-19 vaccines were developed in record time and have been shown to reduce the severity of COVID-19 in the general population. These vaccines were also earmarked as a solution to global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. HIV infection has been reported to reduce the efficacy of various other vaccines including those used against Impacts: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is characterized by attenuated humoral immunity that may reduce the efficacy of vaccines in people living with HIV (PLWH). Vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 infection remains the main public health answer to the COVID-19 pandemic.Although no significant safety concerns have been raised regarding the COVID-19 vaccines in PLWH, the efficacy of these vaccines in PLWH has not received due attention. Indeed, phase III clinical trials for the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines involved a significantly low number of PLWH.There are major gaps in knowledge on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in PLWH and until further research is carried out, PLWH should be prioritized along with other at-risk groups for repeated vaccination and safeguard.