IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 decay but persist 4 months after vaccination in a cohort of healthcare workers

Background and aims: Monitoring the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 is pivotal in the evaluation of longterm vaccine efficacy. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies represent an advisable tool to reach this goal, especially for the still poorly defined antibody trend induced by the new class of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Materials and methods: Anti-Spike RBD IgG antibodies were monitored in a cohort of healthcare workers at CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, through MAGLUMI (R) chemiluminescence assay, at 1 and 4 months after fullschedule of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccination. Results: At 1 month after vaccination, 99.9% of 767 healthcare workers showed a reactive antibody response, which was inversely correlated with age, and positively associated with a previous history of COVID-19, and mRNA-1273 vaccination. Serological response was maintained in 99.6% of the 516 subjects monitored also at follow-up. An antibody decay from 559.8 AU/mL (IQR 359.7-845.7) to 92.7 AU/mL (IQR 65.1-148.6; p < 0.001) was observed, independently from age and sex. Conclusion: Our data supported the ability of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines to induce at least a 4 months-lasting IgG response, even outside the rules of clinical trials. The antibody decay observed at follow-up suggested to deepen the immune response characterization to identify subjects with low anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity possibly requiring a vaccination boost.

Automated summary

The study showed that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines can induce a lasting IgG response for at least 4 months, even beyond the parameters of clinical trials. The observed antibody decay at follow-up suggests further research is needed to characterize the immune response and identify individuals with low anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity who may require a vaccination booster.