Factors Influencing Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination

Abstract

Vaccination plays a key role in tackling the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic but data regarding the individual’s protective antibody level are still pending. Our aim is to identify factors that influence antibody response following vaccination in healthcare workers. This single-center study was conducted at Evangelische Kliniken Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Healthcare workers were invited to answer a questionnaire about their vaccinations and adverse reactions. Subsequently, the level of anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG antibody against SARS-CoV-2′s spike protein through blood samples was measured. For statistics, we used a defined correlation of protection (CoP) and examined risk factors associated with being below the given CoP. A total of 645 employees were included and most were female (n = 481, 77.2%). A total of 94.2% participants had received two doses of vaccines (n = 587) and 12.4% (n = 720) had been infected at least once. Most common prime-boost regimen was BNT162b2 + BNT162b2 (57.9%, n = 361). Age (p < 0.001), days since vaccination (p = 0.007), and the homologous vaccination regimen with ChAdOx + ChAdOx (p = 0.004) were risk factors for the antibody level being below the CoP, whereas any previous COVID-19 infection (p < 0.001), the number of vaccines (p = 0.016), and physical complaints after vaccination (p = 0.01) were associated with an antibody level above the CoP. Thus, age, vaccination regimen, days since vaccination, and previous infection influence the antibody level. These risk factors should be considered for booster and vaccinations guidelines.

Performance of SARS COV-2 IgG Anti-N as an Independent Marker of Exposure to SARS COV-2 in an Unvaccinated West African Population

“…Previous evidence has shown age-related predictors (likely driven by immune senescence) of waning humoral response to vaccination and, in principle, humoral responses triggered by previous SARS COV-2. 40 – 43 We found no difference between the ages of participants classified positive or negative by composite gold standard (i.e., median age of 34 [IQR: 26–47] and 33 [IQR: 25–47], respectively; P = 0.32); this is reassuring and suggests that study participants likely have robust immune systems, with similar waning rate between groups.…”

A Longitudinal Study in Tunisia to Assess the Anti-RBD IgG and IgA Responses Induced by Three Different COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms

“…Despite using different designs, all COVID-19 vaccines share a common goal, which is to trigger robust immunity with a strong antibody response associated with the neutralization of SARS-CoV-2. Although it has been well established that individuals develop heterogeneous immune responses and antibody levels following vaccination, age has been a pivotal factor influencing the antibody response [ 54 , 55 , 56 ]. Numerous studies investigating vaccination against influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, pneumococcus, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), tetanus, and SARS-CoV-2 have consistently shown that the antibody response following vaccination decreased with increasing age [ 33 , 57 , 58 , 59 ].…”

Immunogenicity Assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 Protein Subunit Recombinant Vaccine (CoV2-IB 0322) in a Substudy of a Phase 3 Trial in Indonesia

“…Several factors contribute to the dynamics of the humoral immune response. These factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, timing of vaccination, and previous infection history, affect not only the antibody level titer but also correlate with the severity of COVID-19 [21][22][23].…”