Long-term antibody persistence and exceptional vaccination response on previously SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects

Background: The first COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to the general population. However, the shortage of doses is slowing down the goal of reaching herd immunity. The aim of the study was to verify whether previously SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects, a considerable portion of the population, should receive the same vaccination treatment of seronegative individuals. Methods: Health-professionals either recovered from COVID-19 or never infected by SARS-CoV-2 were serologically tested at different time-points right before, and several days after, vaccination. Results: Previously infected individuals showed humoral immune responses, 21 days after the first dose, that was approximately 10-folds higher than the seronegative group 21 days after the second dose. Seropositivity persists for at least 11 months. Conclusion: During a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine doses, previously SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals should be dispensed from the vaccination campaign. When dose availability returns to normality, injection of a single dose for seropositive individuals should be considered. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that individuals previously infected with COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of antibodies after vaccination compared to those who had never been infected. Seropositivity persisted for at least 11 months after vaccination, suggesting that in times of vaccine shortage, priority should be given to individuals who have not been infected with the virus.