The Dynamics of Changes in the Concentration of IgG against the S1 Subunit in Polish Healthcare Workers in the Period from 1 to 12 Months after Injection, Including Four COVID-19 Vaccines

Abstract

Background: The presented research made it possible to obtain the characteristics of changes in anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG within one year of vaccination in healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: The research group consisted of 18,610 participants represented by medical and administration staff. IgG antibody concentrations were determined by ELISA. Results: At 5–8 months after full vaccination, the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG with equal vaccines were similar. The exception was JNJ-78436735, for which IgG levels were significantly lower. In the 9th month after vaccination, an increase in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG level, suggesting asymptomatic infection, was observed in a large group of participants. Significantly higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were observed after the booster dose compared to the second dose. The increase in antibodies was observed already around the 5th day after the injection of the booster dose, and was maximized at approximately the 14th day. Conclusion: The cut-off date for protection against the disease seems to be the period 8–9 months from the vaccination for mRNA vaccines and 5–6 months for vector vaccines. The introduction of a booster dose was the right decision, which could have a real impact on restricting the further transmission of the virus.

Keywords

• SARS-CoV-2
• COVID-19
• vaccination
• antibodies
• BNT162b2
• mRNA-1273