loading page

Immunogenicity of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac boosters in fully vaccinated individuals with CoronaVac against SARS-CoV-2: A Longitudinal Study
  • +10
  • Füsun Can,
  • Zeynep Ece Kuloğlu,
  • Rojbin El,
  • Gülen Esken,
  • Yeşim Tok,
  • Zeynep Talay,
  • Tayfun Barlas,
  • Mert Ahmet Kuskucu,
  • Özgür Albayrak,
  • Özlem Doğan,
  • Serap Şimşek Yavuz,
  • Kenan Midilli,
  • Önder Ergönül
Füsun Can
Koc Universitesi

Corresponding Author:fucan@ku.edu.tr

Author Profile
Zeynep Ece Kuloğlu
Koc Universitesi Saglik Bilimleri Enstitusu
Author Profile
Rojbin El
Koc Universitesi Saglik Bilimleri Enstitusu
Author Profile
Gülen Esken
Koc Universitesi
Author Profile
Yeşim Tok
Istanbul Universitesi-Cerrahpasa Cerrahpasa Tip Fakultesi
Author Profile
Zeynep Talay
Koc Universitesi Saglik Bilimleri Enstitusu
Author Profile
Tayfun Barlas
Koc Universitesi
Author Profile
Mert Ahmet Kuskucu
Koc Universitesi
Author Profile
Özgür Albayrak
Koc Universitesi Tip Fakultesi
Author Profile
Özlem Doğan
Koc Universitesi
Author Profile
Serap Şimşek Yavuz
Istanbul Universitesi Istanbul Tip Fakultesi
Author Profile
Kenan Midilli
Istanbul Universitesi-Cerrahpasa Cerrahpasa Tip Fakultesi
Author Profile
Önder Ergönül
Koc Universitesi
Author Profile

Abstract

Objective: There is a need for the immunogenicity of different boosters after widely used inactivated vaccine regimens. We aimed to determine the effects of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac boosters on the humoral and cellular immunity of individuals who had two doses of CoronaVac vaccination. Methods: The study was conducted in three centers (Koc University Hospital, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Hospital, and Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical School Hospital) in Istanbul. Individuals who had two doses of CoronaVac and no history of COVID-19 were included. The baseline blood samples were collected three to five months after two doses of CoronaVac. Follow-up samples were taken one and three months after third doses of CoronaVac or one dose of mRNA BNT162b2 boosters. Neutralizing antibody titers were detected by plaque reduction assay. T cell responses were evaluated by Elispot assay and flow cytometry. Results: We found a 3.38-fold increase in neutralizing antibody titers (Geometric Mean Titer [GMT], 78.69) one month after BNT162b2 booster and maintained at the three months (GMT, 80). However, in the CoronaVac group, significantly lower GMTs than BNT162b2 after 1 month and 3 months (21.44 and 28.44, respectively) indicated the weak immunogenicity of the CoronaVac booster (p<0.001). In the ELISpot assay, IL-2 levels after BNT162b2 were higher than baseline and CoronaVac booster (p<0.001) and IFN-γ levels were significantly higher than baseline (P<0.001). The CD8+CD38+CD69+ and CD4+CD38+CD69+ T cells were stimulated significantly at the 3 rd month of the BNT162b2 boosters. Conclusion: The neutralizing antibody levels after three months of the BNT162b2 booster were higher than the antibody levels after CoronaVac. On the other hand, specific T cells might contribute to immune protection. By considering the waning immunity, we suggest a new booster dose with BNT162b2 for the countries that already have two doses of primary CoronaVac regimens.
11 Jan 2022Submitted to Allergy
13 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
13 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
16 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Jan 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
21 Feb 20221st Revision Received
21 Feb 2022Submission Checks Completed
21 Feb 2022Assigned to Editor
21 Feb 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 Mar 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
21 Mar 20222nd Revision Received
21 Mar 2022Submission Checks Completed
21 Mar 2022Assigned to Editor
21 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Accept