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COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Response Impaired in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new report from Munich, Germany, has shed light on the challenges faced by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in responding to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers from LMU University Hospital Munich matched 110 IBD patients with healthcare workers without comorbidities and those with medical conditions, collecting data on medication, COVID-19 vaccinations, and lifestyle factors. The study found that IBD patients treated with anti-TNF but not those under vedolizumab or ustekinumab therapy had lower anti-spike levels compared to healthcare workers. The research suggests that individualized schedules for mRNA-based vaccines may be necessary for patients with IBD and different immunosuppressive therapies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers from LMU University Hospital Munich investigated the response to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in 110 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • The study found that IBD patients treated with anti-TNF had lower anti-spike levels compared to healthcare workers without comorbidities (166 versus 1384 BAU/mL).
  • Patients under vedolizumab or ustekinumab therapy showed no significant difference in anti-spike levels compared to healthcare workers.
  • The research suggests that individualized schedules for mRNA-based vaccines may be necessary for patients with IBD and different immunosuppressive therapies.
  • The study also highlights the importance of non-smoking and overall lifestyle factors in maintaining a strong immune response to vaccines.
  • The research was funded by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Bavarian Ministry of Science and Art.

Statistics:

  • 4115 participants from the RisCoin cohort were included in the study.
  • 110 IBD patients were matched with 306 healthcare workers without comorbidities and 292 with medical conditions.
  • The study found a significant difference in anti-spike levels in IBD patients treated with anti-TNF (p < 0.01).
  • The median age of the IBD patients was 46.5 years, and 58.2% were male.
  • The study also found that 32.7% of the IBD patients reported a history of smoking.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New COVID-19 Research Has Been Reported by Researchers at LMU University Hospital Munich (Factors Associated with Impaired Humoral Immune Response to mRNA Vaccines in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Matched-Cohort Analysis from the ...). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. August 17, 2025; p 259.
  • Factors Associated with Impaired Humoral Immune Response to mRNA Vaccines in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Matched-Cohort Analysis from the RisCoin Study. Vaccines, 2025,13(7):673. (Vaccines - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines).

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