Safety and antibody responses of Omicron BA.4/5 bivalent booster vaccine among hybrid immunity with diverse vaccination histories: A cohort study
Sitthichai Kanokudom,
Jira Chansaenroj,
Nungruthai Suntronwong,
Lakkhana Wongsrisang,
Ratchadawan Aeemjinda,
Preeyaporn Vichaiwattana,
Thaksaporn Thatsanathorn,
Warangkana Chantima,
Pattarakul Pakchotanon,
Thaneeya Duangchinda,
Natthinee Sudhinaraset,
Sittisak Honsawek,
Yong Poovorawan
Affiliations
Sitthichai Kanokudom
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeleton, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Jira Chansaenroj
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Nungruthai Suntronwong
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Lakkhana Wongsrisang
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Ratchadawan Aeemjinda
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Preeyaporn Vichaiwattana
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Thaksaporn Thatsanathorn
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Warangkana Chantima
Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Pattarakul Pakchotanon
Molecular Biology of Dengue and Flaviviruses Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Thaneeya Duangchinda
Molecular Biology of Dengue and Flaviviruses Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Natthinee Sudhinaraset
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Sittisak Honsawek
Center of Excellence in Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeleton, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Corresponding author at: Center of Excellence in Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeleton, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Yong Poovorawan
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Fellow of the Royal Society of Thailand (FRS [T]), The Royal Society of Thailand, Sanam Sueapa, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand; Corresponding author at: Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
This cohort study, conducted between July and August 2023, evaluated the adverse events (AEs) and immune response to a bivalent mRNA-1273.222 (containing sequences of the original Wuhan-H1 strain and the Omicron BA.4/5 variant) booster vaccine in 122 participants. The study included individuals with diverse vaccination histories, and their responses were assessed based on anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG levels and neutralizing antibodies against the wild-type, Omicron BA.5, and XBB.1.16 variants. Following administration of the BA.4/5 bivalent vaccine, AEs were generally mild to moderate and well-tolerated within a few days. There were no reports of vomiting and no serious AEs or death. The findings demonstrated robust immune responses, with significant increases in anti-RBD IgG levels, particularly in groups that had received 3 –6 doses before the booster dose. The BA.4/5 bivalent booster effectively induced neutralizing antibodies against the vaccine strains, providing robust neutralization, including the XBB.1.16 strain. The study also highlighted that individuals with hybrid immunity, especially those assumed infected with the BA.5 strain or who had been infected twice, showed higher levels of robust neutralizing activity against Omicron XBB.1.16. Overall, these results indicate that the BA.4/5 bivalent booster vaccines can induce potent and good antibody responses in emerging Omicron subvariants, supporting its efficacy as a booster in individuals with diverse vaccination histories.
