Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Jan 2023)

Immunogenicity Characterization of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

  • Zanair Soares Vasconcelos,
  • Hany Abdulateif Salem,
  • Sâmia Pimenta Veiga,
  • Fabiola Estefany Botelho de Lima,
  • César Rogério da Silva Gonçalves,
  • Eliane Carvalho dos Santos,
  • Alba Regina Jorge Brandão,
  • Kátia Nascimento Couceiro,
  • Jorge Augusto de Oliveira Guerra,
  • Maria das Graças Vale Barbosa Guerra

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0661-2022
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 56

Abstract

Read online Read online

ABSTRACT Introduction: Immunogenicity has emerged as a challenge in the development of vaccines against coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). Immunogenicity is a determinant of the efficacy and safety of vaccines. This systematic review and associated meta-analysis summarized and characterized the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Relevant RCTs were systematically sourced from different medical databases in August 2021. The risk ratios and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Of 2,310 papers, 16 RCTs were eligible for review. These RCTs involved a total of 26,698 participants (15,292 males and 11,231 females). The pooled results showed a significant difference in the geometric mean titer between the vaccinated and control groups in favor of the vaccine group after 1 and 2 months of follow-up, for the young age group (18 - 55y) was insignificant (P = 0.24). The seroconversion rate of spike neutralizing antibodies favored the vaccine groups 1 or 2 months after vaccination (P < 0.001). The seroconversion rate of the vaccine group was significantly different (P < 0.001) from that of the control group. Conclusions: Vaccination elicits immunogenicity in the follow-up period for all age groups and at low and large doses. Therefore, people should be encouraged to receive vaccines currently being offered. A boost dose has been asserted for the elderly.

Keywords