Immunogenicity of BNT162b2 Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant and Attitudes toward a COVID-19 Booster Dose among Healthy Thai Adolescents
Pavinee Assavavongwaikit,
Napaporn Chantasrisawad,
Orawan Himananto,
Chayapa Phasomsap,
Pintusorn Klawaja,
Sapphire Cartledge,
Rachaneekorn Nadsasarn,
Thidarat Jupimai,
Surinda Kawichai,
Suvaporn Anugulruengkitt,
Thanyawee Puthanakit,
on behalf of the Study Team
Affiliations
Pavinee Assavavongwaikit
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Napaporn Chantasrisawad
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Orawan Himananto
Monoclonal Antibody Production and Application Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Chayapa Phasomsap
Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Pintusorn Klawaja
Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Sapphire Cartledge
School of Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Rachaneekorn Nadsasarn
Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Thidarat Jupimai
Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Surinda Kawichai
Center of Excellence for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Suvaporn Anugulruengkitt
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Thanyawee Puthanakit
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Despite the BNT162b2 vaccination coverage, rapid transmission of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 has occurred, which is suspected to be due to the immune escape of the variant or waning vaccine efficacy of multiple BNT162b2 vaccination doses. Our study aims to compare immunogenicity against Omicron prior to and post a booster dose of BNT162b2 in healthy adolescents, and to evaluate their attitudes toward booster dose vaccination. A cross sectional study was conducted among healthy adolescents aged 12–17 who received two doses of BNT162b2 more than 5 months ago. Participants and their guardians performed self-reported questionnaires regarding reasons for receiving the booster. A 30 ug booster dose of BNT162b2 was offered. Immunogenicity was evaluated by a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) against the Omicron variant, and anti-spike-receptor-binding-domain IgG (anti-S-RBD IgG) taken pre-booster and 14-days post-booster. From March to April 2022, 120 healthy Thai adolescents with a median age of 15 years (IQR 14–16) were enrolled. sVNT against Omicron pre- and post-booster had 11.9 (95%CI 0–23.9) and 94.3 (90.6–97.4) % inhibition. Geometric means (GMs) of anti-S-RBD IgG increased from 837 (728, 953) to 3041 (2893, 3229) BAU/mL. Major reasons to receive the booster vaccination were perceived as vaccine efficacy, reduced risk of spreading infection to family, and safe resumption of social activities. A booster dose of BNT162b2 elicits high immunogenicity against the Omicron variant. Motivation for receiving booster doses is to reduce risk of infection.
