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
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.