Increased neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant after heterologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/BNT162b2 versus homologous BNT162b2 vaccination
Markus Bauswein,
David Peterhoff,
Annelie Plentz,
Andreas Hiergeist,
Ralf Wagner,
André Gessner,
Bernd Salzberger,
Barbara Schmidt,
Stilla Bauernfeind
Affiliations
Markus Bauswein
Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Corresponding author
David Peterhoff
Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
Annelie Plentz
Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
Andreas Hiergeist
Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
Ralf Wagner
Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
André Gessner
Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
Bernd Salzberger
Department of Infection Prevention and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
Barbara Schmidt
Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
Stilla Bauernfeind
Department of Infection Prevention and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
Summary: Heterologous SARS-CoV-2 vaccine approaches with a second mRNA-based vaccine have been favored in the recommendations of many countries over homologous vector-based ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination after reports of thromboembolic events and lower efficacy of this regimen. In the middle of 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern (VoC) has become predominant in many countries worldwide. Data addressing the neutralization capacity of a heterologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/mRNA-based vaccination approach against the Delta VoC in comparison to the widely used homologous mRNA-based vaccine regimen are limited. Here, we compare serological immune responses of a cohort of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/BNT162b2-vaccinated participants with those of BNT162b2/BNT162b2 vaccinated ones and show that neutralization capacity against the Delta VoC is significantly increased in sera of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/BNT162b2-vaccinated participants. This overall effect can be attributed to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/BNT162b2-vaccinated women, especially those with more severe adverse effects leading to sick leave following second immunization.
