SARS-CoV-2 in dialysis patients and the impact of vaccination.

Background: In centre haemodialysis (ICHD) patients have been identified as high risk of contracting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to frequent healthcare contact and poor innate and adaptive immunity. Our ICHD patients were offered immunisation from January 2021. We aimed to assess outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection and report on the effect of vaccination in our ICHD patients.

Methods: Demographics, SARS-CoV-2 status, hospitalisation, mortality and vaccination status were analysed. From 11 March 2020 to 31 March 2021, 662 ICHD patients were included in the study and these patients were then followed up until 31 August 2021.

Results: SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 28.4% with 51.1% of them requiring hospitalisation in contrast to community infection rates of 13.9% and hospitalisation of 9.0%. 28-day mortality was 19.2% in comparison to 1.9% of the community. Mortality increased to 34.0% over the study period. Mortality over the study period was 1.8 times in infected patients (HR 1.81 (1.32-2.49) P < 0.001) despite adjustment for age, gender and ethnicity. 91.3% of ICHD patients have now received both doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations.

Conclusions: ICHD patients are at increased risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2, with increased rates of hospitalisation and mortality. The increased mortality extends well beyond the 28 days post-infection and persists in those who have recovered. Peaks and troughs in infection rates mirrored community trends. Preliminary data indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination provides protection to ICHD patients, with ICHD case rates now comparable to that of the local population.