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Antibody Persistence 6 Months Post-Vaccination with BNT162b2 among Health Care Workers

Authors :
Enea Gino Di Domenico
Elva Abril
Fabrizio Ensoli
Simona di Martino
Barbara Pichi
Antonello Vidiri
Francesco Cognetti
Giovanni Blandino
Laura Conti
Eleonora Sperandio
Martina Pontone
Fabrizio Petrone
Chiara Mandoj
Silvia Moretto
Aldo Venuti
Federico De Marco
Raul Pellini
Diana Giannarelli
Branka Vujovic
Armando De Virgilio
Gerardo Petruzzi
Fulvia Pimpinelli
Vincenzo Di Noia
Valentina Rosati
Aldo Morrone
Giulia Piaggio
Gennaro Ciliberto
Flaminia Campo
Francesco Mazzola
Source :
Vaccines, Vol 9, Iss 1125, p 1125 (2021), Vaccines
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

Background: We present immunogenicity data 6 months after the first dose of BNT162b2 in correlation with age, gender, BMI, comorbidities and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: An immunogenicity evaluation was carried out among health care workers (HCW) vaccinated at the Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO). All HCW were asked to be vaccine by the national vaccine campaign at the beginning of 2021. Serum samples were collected on day 1 just prior to the first dose of the vaccine and on day 21 just prior to the second vaccination dose. Thereafter sera samples were collected 28, 49, 84 and 168 days after the first dose of BNT162b2. Quantitative measurement of IgG antibodies against S1/S2 antigens of SARS-CoV-2 was performed with a commercial chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: Two hundred seventy-four HWCs were analyzed, 175 women (63.9%) and 99 men (36.1%). The maximum antibody geometric mean concentration (AbGMC) was reached at T2 (299.89 AU/mL; 95% CI: 263.53–339.52) with a significant increase compared to baseline (p < 0.0001). Thereafter, a progressive decrease was observed. At T5, a median decrease of 59.6% in COVID-19 negative, and of 67.8% in COVID-19 positive individuals were identified with respect to the highest antibody response. At T1, age and previous COVID-19 were associated with differences in antibody response, while at T2 and T3 differences in immune response were associated with age, gender and previous COVID-19. At T4 and T5, only COVID-19 positive participants demonstrated a greater antibody response, whereas no other variables seemed to influence antibody levels. Conclusions: Overall our study clearly shows antibody persistence at 6 months, albeit with a certain decline. Thus, the use of this vaccine in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic is supported by our results that in turn open debate about the need for further boosts.

Details

ISSN :
2076393X
Volume :
9
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Vaccines
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....74a220416199bed70b1096cad7935b04