COVID-19 Booster mRNA Dose Increases Antibody Duration

FRIDAY, Dec. 30, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- COVID-19 mRNA vaccine boosters increase antibody duration, but do not increase antibody levels, according to a study recently published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Samuel M. Ailsworth, from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and colleagues examined the magnitude and durability of spike receptor-binding domain (S-RBD) immunoglobulin (Ig)G after booster mRNA COVID-19 vaccination versus the primary series. In addition, S-RBD IgG levels were compared after BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 boosters. Adults in an employee-based cohort provided serum and completed questionnaires, including information about previous COVID-19 infection; 228 adults had samples collected between seven and 150 days after the primary series and 117 had samples collected in the same time frame after the booster dose.

The researchers found that antibody levels were similar from seven to 31 days after the primary series and booster; however, regardless of prior infection status, S-RBD IgG was more durable over time after the booster. Up to five months, mRNA-1273 postboost antibody levels exceeded those of BNT162b2.

"Our initial thought was that boosters would lead to higher antibody levels than the primary vaccine series, but that was not what we found," Ailsworth said in a statement. "Instead, we found that the booster led to longer lasting antibodies."

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