Men vaccinated with AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Cansino or Sputnik, get regular HIV tests.
( October 19, 2020 )
Use of adenovirus type-5 vectored vaccines: a cautionary tale
Men vaccinated with AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Cansino or Sputnik, get regular HIV tests.
Souce
We are writing to express concern about the use of a recombinant adenovirus type-5 (Ad5) vector for a COVID-19 phase 1 vaccine study,1 and subsequent advanced trials. Over a decade ago, we completed the Step and Phambili phase 2b studies that evaluated an Ad5 vectored HIV-1 vaccine administered in three immunisations for efficacy against HIV-1 acquisition.2, 3 Both international studies found an increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition among vaccinated men.2, 4 The Step trial found that men who were Ad5 seropositive and uncircumcised on entry into the trial were at elevated risk of HIV-1 acquisition during the first 18 months of follow-up.5 The hazard ratios were particularly high among men who were uncircumcised and Ad5 seropositive, and who reported unprotected insertive anal sex with a partner who was HIV-1 seropositive or had unknown serostatus at baseline, suggesting the potential for increased risk of penile acquisition of HIV-1. Importantly for considering the potential use of Ad5 vectors for COVID-19 infection, a similar increased risk of HIV infection was also observed in heterosexual men who enrolled in the Phambili study.4 This effect appeared to persist over time. Both studies involved an Ad5