Humoral and Cellular Responses to COVID-19 Vaccination Indicate the Need for Post-Vaccination Testing in Frail Population

Despite the high efficacy of the BNT162b2 vaccine in the general population, data on its immunogenicity among frail elderly individuals are limited. Recently, levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies and serum neutralization titers were confirmed as good immune markers of protection against the virus, with evidence showing a reverse correlation between these two parameters and susceptibility to infection. Here we analyzed sera from 138 nursing home residents (median age of 88.9 years) and 312 nursing home staff (median age of 50.7 years) to determine the humoral response to two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine, and found markedly decreased serum anti-spike antibody levels and neutralization titers in the nursing home resident (NHR) group, with over 11% non-responders compared to only 1.3% among the controls. Moreover, three months post-vaccination, a significant decrease in antibody titers was observed in COVID-19-naive nursing home residents. Subsequent flow cytometry and interferon gamma secretion analyses indicated that antibody non-responders among NHRs also failed to mount cellular responses. The presented data emphasize that additional measures are needed in the population of frail elderly individuals. Given the high proportion of non-responders among NHRs, continued monitoring should be considered in this group.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the humoral response to the BNT162b2 vaccine among nursing home residents and staff. The results showed significantly decreased serum antibody levels and neutralization titers among nursing home residents, with a high proportion of non-responders. Additionally, a significant decrease in antibody titers was observed three months post-vaccination in COVID-19-naive nursing home residents. Flow cytometry and interferon gamma secretion analyses indicated that antibody non-responders also failed to mount cellular responses. This study highlights the need for additional measures and continued monitoring in the population of frail elderly individuals.