Vaccines (Apr 2024)

Antibody Response after Homologous and Heterologous Prime–Boost COVID-19 Vaccination in a Bangladeshi Residential University Cohort

  • Nihad Adnan,
  • Md. Ahsanul Haq,
  • Salma Akter,
  • S. M. Shafiul Alam Sajal,
  • Md. Fokhrul Islam,
  • Taslin Jahan Mou,
  • Mohd. Raeed Jamiruddin,
  • Fatema Tuz Jubyda,
  • Md. Salequl Islam,
  • Jamsheda Ferdous Tuli,
  • Syeda Moriam Liza,
  • Sharif Hossain,
  • Zinia Islam,
  • Sohel Ahmed,
  • Shahad Saif Khandker,
  • Rubel Hossain,
  • Md. Firoz Ahmed,
  • Mohib Ullah Khondoker,
  • Nafisa Azmuda,
  • Md. Anowar Khasru Parvez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12050482
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 5
p. 482

Abstract

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COVID-19 vaccination strategies, including heterologous prime–boost regimens and additional booster doses, aim to optimize immune responses. However, seroepidemiological studies on immune responses to different COVID-19 vaccine types and schedules remain limited. This study investigated antibody levels following homologous and heterologous prime-and-boost COVID-19 vaccination in Bangladesh. In a cohort of 606 participants who received first/second/booster doses of vaccines (AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Sinopharm), anti-spike IgG and anti-nucleocapsid IgG levels were measured. Antibody titer variations with respect to age, gender, intervals between doses, and prior infection status were analyzed. mRNA vaccines elicited the highest antibody levels after homologous and heterologous boosting. The AstraZeneca booster resulted in a sharp titer decline rate of ~0.04 units per day. Second or booster vaccine doses significantly increased antibody levels, especially in males (p < 0.05). Older age correlated with higher titers, likely reflecting previous infection, which was further confirmed by the elevation of anti-nucleocapsid IgG levels. About 95.5% of non-Sinopharm recipients were anti-nucleocapsid IgG positive, suggesting prior exposure exceeding self-reported infections (12.5%). mRNA and heterologous COVID-19 boosting enhances humoral immunity over homologous prime–boost vector/inactivated vaccination. However, waning immunity merits further investigation across vaccine platforms.

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