Frontiers in Immunology (Feb 2022)

Comparative Magnitude and Persistence of Humoral SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Responses in the Adult Population in Germany

  • Alex Dulovic,
  • Barbora Kessel,
  • Manuela Harries,
  • Matthias Becker,
  • Julia Ortmann,
  • Johanna Griesbaum,
  • Jennifer Jüngling,
  • Daniel Junker,
  • Pilar Hernandez,
  • Daniela Gornyk,
  • Stephan Glöckner,
  • Vanessa Melhorn,
  • Stefanie Castell,
  • Jana-Kristin Heise,
  • Yvonne Kemmling,
  • Torsten Tonn,
  • Kerstin Frank,
  • Thomas Illig,
  • Norman Klopp,
  • Neha Warikoo,
  • Angelika Rath,
  • Christina Suckel,
  • Anne Ulrike Marzian,
  • Nicole Grupe,
  • Philipp D. Kaiser,
  • Bjoern Traenkle,
  • Ulrich Rothbauer,
  • Ulrich Rothbauer,
  • Tobias Kerrinnes,
  • Gérard Krause,
  • Gérard Krause,
  • Gérard Krause,
  • Berit Lange,
  • Berit Lange,
  • Nicole Schneiderhan-Marra,
  • Monika Strengert,
  • Monika Strengert

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.828053
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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Recent increases in SARS-CoV-2 infections have led to questions about duration and quality of vaccine-induced immune protection. While numerous studies have been published on immune responses triggered by vaccination, these often focus on studying the impact of one or two immunisation schemes within subpopulations such as immunocompromised individuals or healthcare workers. To provide information on the duration and quality of vaccine-induced immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, we analyzed antibody titres against various SARS-CoV-2 antigens and ACE2 binding inhibition against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and variants of concern in samples from a large German population-based seroprevalence study (MuSPAD) who had received all currently available immunisation schemes. We found that homologous mRNA-based or heterologous prime-boost vaccination produced significantly higher antibody responses than vector-based homologous vaccination. Ad26.CoV2S.2 performance was particularly concerning with reduced titres and 91.7% of samples classified as non-responsive for ACE2 binding inhibition, suggesting that recipients require a booster mRNA vaccination. While mRNA vaccination induced a higher ratio of RBD- and S1-targeting antibodies, vector-based vaccines resulted in an increased proportion of S2-targeting antibodies. Given the role of RBD- and S1-specific antibodies in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2, their relative over-representation after mRNA vaccination may explain why these vaccines have increased efficacy compared to vector-based formulations. Previously infected individuals had a robust immune response once vaccinated, regardless of which vaccine they received, which could aid future dose allocation should shortages arise for certain manufacturers. Overall, both titres and ACE2 binding inhibition peaked approximately 28 days post-second vaccination and then decreased.

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