Background: COVID-19 vaccine emergency approvals were primarily based on immunogenicity studies in healthy individuals, with limited representation of immunocompromised populations such as people living with HIV. Since vaccine responses may differ in these groups, this cross-sectional observational study assessed IgG antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: The study was conducted from November 2021 to April 2022. Adult HIV patients on ART who had received two doses of COVISHIELD™ or COVAXIN™ within 8–24weeks were recruited. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were qualitatively assessed using a commercially available Microwell ELISA kit.

Results: Among the 42 enrolled subjects (mean age 42.17±9.04 years; 73.8% male), 35 received COVISHIELD™ and 7 received COVAXIN™. Most (90.5%) were on a tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir regimen. Only 4 participants had CD4 counts <300 cells/mm³. A majority (97.6%) showed a positive IgG antibody response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Conclusions: HIV patients on ART mounted a strong humoral immune response following two doses ofCOVID-19 vaccines commonly used in India. Despite a small sample size and lack of neutralizing antibody testing, the study offers important data on vaccine response in this underrepresented population.