Cell Reports
Volume 41, Issue 4, 25 October 2022, 111554
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Article
A boost with SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine elicits strong humoral responses independently of the interval between the first two doses

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111554Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • An extended interval elicits better humoral responses than a short interval

  • Humoral responses decline after the second dose of mRNA vaccine

  • A boost elicits similar humoral responses in short- and long-interval recipients

  • Hybrid immunity leads to stronger and more sustained humoral responses

Summary

Due to the recrudescence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections worldwide, mainly caused by the Omicron variant of concern (VOC) and its sub-lineages, several jurisdictions are administering an mRNA vaccine boost. Here, we analyze humoral responses induced after the second and third doses of an mRNA vaccine in naive and previously infected donors who received their second dose with an extended 16-week interval. We observe that the extended interval elicits robust humoral responses against VOCs, but this response is significantly diminished 4 months after the second dose. Administering a boost to these individuals brings back the humoral responses to the same levels obtained after the extended second dose. Interestingly, we observe that administering a boost to individuals that initially received a short 3- to 4-week regimen elicits humoral responses similar to those observed in the long interval regimen. Nevertheless, humoral responses elicited by the boost in naive individuals do not reach those present in previously infected vaccinated individuals.

Research topic(s)

CP: Immunology

Keywords

coronavirus
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
spike glycoproteins
long interval
third mRNA vaccine dose
humoral responses
variants of concern

Data and code availability

  • All data reported in this paper will be shared by the lead contact ([email protected]) upon request.

  • This paper does not report original code.

  • Any additional information required to reanalyze the data reported in this paper is available from the lead contact ([email protected]) upon request.

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Lead contact