Severity of adverse reactions is associated with T-cell response in mRNA-1273 vaccinated health care workers

Knowledge about mRNA-1273 elicited T-cell response is limited. We investigated adverse reactions and interferon gamma release by specific T-cells among mRNA-1273 vaccinated health care workers. Seven to 13 weeks after complete vaccination low levels of specific T-cells were detected not correlating with antibody response. Severity of symptoms after first and number of symptoms after second immunization were associated with T-cell response. Assessment of T-cell response in addition to antibody response is crucial because even few specific T-cells could add to protection against infection. Investigation of mRNA-1273 induced inflammatory processes might help improve reactogenicity and immunogenicity.

Automated summary

This study investigates T-cell response and adverse reactions among mRNA-1273 vaccinated individuals. It finds that low levels of specific T-cells are detected after vaccination, which do not correlate with antibody response. The severity of symptoms after the first immunization and the number of symptoms after the second immunization are associated with T-cell response. Therefore, assessing T-cell response is crucial for vaccine effectiveness and protection against infection.