COVID-19 vaccination-induced antibody responses and waning by age and comorbidity status in a large population-based prospective cohort study

• Published in: Vaccine Vol. 42; no. 25; p. 126121
• Main Authors: Hoeve, C.E., Huiberts, A.J., de Gier, B., Andeweg, S.P., den Hartog, G., de Melker, H.E., Hahne, S.J.M., van de Wijgert, J.H.H.M., van den Hof, S., Knol, M.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 14.11.2024; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Age; Age factors; Antibodies; Cohort analysis; Comorbidity; COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines; Drug dosages; Infections; mRNA vaccines; Population; Population studies; Questionnaires; Risk; Risk groups; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spike protein; Vaccination; United States > US; Netherlands; Germany
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.07.022

•Less differences in S-antibody levels between age groups after booster vaccination.•Less differences in S-antibody levels between vaccines after booster vaccination.•S-antibody levels not affected by medical risk group after booster vaccination.•Speed of waning of S-antibody levels possibly faster among those with hybrid immunity. Information on the magnitude and duration of antibody levels after COVID-19 vaccination in different groups may be useful for prioritizing of additional vaccinations. Serum samples were collected every six months in a prospective cohort study among adults in the Netherlands. Geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of antibodies against the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were calculated after the primary series, first, and second booster vaccinations. Effects of age (18–59 vs 60–85 years) and medical risk conditions on GMC 2–6 weeks and 21–25 weeks after each vaccination, and on waning during 3–25 weeks after each vaccination, were estimated by linear regression. We included 20,640, 15,229 and 8,392 samples collected after primary, first and second booster vaccination, respectively. GMCs at 2–6 and 21–25 weeks after primary series were lower in participants with older age or medical risk conditions. After the first booster, older age was associated with lower GMC at 2–6 weeks and at 21–25 weeks. Waning after the first and second boosters (only 60–85) was not associated with age or medical risk conditions. Since antibody differences by age and medical risk groups have become small with increasing number of doses, other factors such as COVID-19 disease severity rather than antibody levels are useful for prioritization of additional vaccinations.