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Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron BA.5-specific neutralizing antibody and T cell responses after Omicron bivalent booster vaccination in previously infected and infection-naive individuals
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  • Willem A. Mak,
  • Wendy Visser,
  • Marijke van der Vliet,
  • Hilde Y. Markus,
  • Johannes G.M. Koeleman,
  • David Ong
Willem A. Mak
Franciscus Gasthuis en Vlietland
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Wendy Visser
Franciscus Gasthuis en Vlietland
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Marijke van der Vliet
Franciscus Gasthuis en Vlietland
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Hilde Y. Markus
Franciscus Gasthuis en Vlietland
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Johannes G.M. Koeleman
Franciscus Gasthuis en Vlietland
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David Ong
Franciscus Gasthuis en Vlietland

Corresponding Author:davidsyong@gmail.com

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Abstract

COVID-19 bivalent ancestral/Omicron mRNA booster vaccinations became available to boost and expand the immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infections. In a prospective cohort study including 59 healthcare workers, we assessed SARS-CoV-2 ancestral and Omicron BA.5-specific neutralizing antibody and T cell responses in previously infected and infection-naive individuals. Also, we assessed the effect of an ancestral/Omicron BA.1 bivalent mRNA booster vaccination on these immune responses. 10 months after previous monovalent mRNA vaccinations, ancestral SARS-CoV-2 S1-specific T cell and anti-RBD IgG responses remained detectable in most individuals and a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with increased T cell responses. T cell responses, anti-RBD IgG, and Omicron BA.5 neutralization activity increased after receiving an ancestral/Omicron BA.1 bivalent booster mRNA vaccination. An Omicron BA.5 infection in addition to bivalent vaccination led to a higher ratio of Omicron BA.5 to ancestral strain neutralization activity compared to bivalent vaccination without a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 T cell and antibody responses persist for up to 10 months after a monovalent booster mRNA vaccination. An ancestral/Omicron BA.1 bivalent booster mRNA vaccination increases these immune responses and also induces Omicron BA.5 cross-neutralization antibody activity. Finally, our data indicate that hybrid immunity is associated with improved preservation of T cell immunity.
02 May 2023Submitted to Journal of Medical Virology
02 May 2023Submission Checks Completed
02 May 2023Assigned to Editor
02 May 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 May 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Jun 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
27 Jun 20231st Revision Received
29 Jun 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Jun 2023Submission Checks Completed
29 Jun 2023Assigned to Editor
17 Jul 2023Editorial Decision: Accept