Scientific Reports (Aug 2021)

Durability of antibody response to vaccination and surrogate neutralization of emerging variants based on SARS-CoV-2 exposure history

  • Thomas W. McDade,
  • Alexis R. Demonbreun,
  • Amelia Sancilio,
  • Brian Mustanski,
  • Richard T. D’Aquila,
  • Elizabeth M. McNally

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96879-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract Two-dose messenger RNA vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection. However, the durability of protection is not known, nor is the effectiveness against emerging viral variants. Additionally, vaccine responses may differ based on prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure history. To investigate protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants we measured binding and neutralizing antibody responses following both vaccine doses. We document significant declines in antibody levels three months post-vaccination, and reduced neutralization of emerging variants, highlighting the need to identify correlates of clinical protection to inform the timing of and indications for booster vaccination.