In an Australian first, researchers have analysed the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines for First Nations peoples, with results showing effective immune responses.
Researchers from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in partnership with the Menzies School of Health Research looked at the immune responses of 58 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders along with 39 non-Indigenous Australians all from Darwin.
The study was the first of its kind looking specifically at First Nations peoples and their reactions to COVID vaccines, filling a gap in research after the cohort was not included in initial COVID-19 clinical trials.
The researchers found that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants showed a strong antibody and T-cell response, along with high levels of antibodies binding to the virus, after two mRNA vaccine doses.
"While we found really powerful immune responses in First Nation peoples, however, what we also found was reduced antibody responses for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants who had comorbidities, especially diabetes, and renal disease," the Doherty Institute's laboratory head, Professor Katherine Kedzierska, said.
"Our study provides immunological evidence that supports earlier and additional vaccine boosters [are important] for First Nation peoples and highlights the importance of being up to date with COVID vaccinations, especially for individuals with comorbidities."
Damien Griffis, chief executive of the First Peoples Disability Network, said the study was important because of a broad lack of data collected specifically for First Nations peoples and those with a disability.
"There is no reliable data that I'm aware of that relates to First Peoples with disability and COVID and that's really important we understand that situation. We always need more data," he said.
"I don't believe that there is even data that is satisfactory in terms of the broader Australian disability community, so there still a major gap."
Hassan Vally, an Associate Professor in epidemiology at Deakin University, said the study provided confirmation and reassurance that vaccines were effective for First Nations people, who suffer high rates of chronic disease and comorbidities.
"This adds to the message we can get out to First Nations groups that although the risk across the population is going down, they have an ongoing vulnerability so they need to be very aware of keeping their immunity levels up," he said.
Dr Vally said that while the results of immune responses was highly encouraging, the results were somewhat limited.
"The only definitive way to show efficacy in this group is to actually look at a clinical trial that determines whether they get infected or whether they have severe disease and comparing that to another group," he said.
"We're drawing the conclusion that if your antibody levels are high and your T-cells look like they are working, that translates to protection in the real world," he said.
"It's not unreasonable and we do it that way because it's a much easier way to do these studies."
