Robust SARS-COV-2-specific T-cell immune memory persists long-term in immunocompetent individuals post BNT162b2 double shot

Background: A robust efficiency of mRNA vaccines against coronavirus disease-2019 has been demonstrated, however, the intended long-term protection against SARS-CoV-2 has been challenged by the waning humoral and cellular immunity over time, leading to a third vaccination dose recommendation for immunocompetent individuals, six months after completion of primary mRNA vaccination.Methods: We here measured humoral responses via an immunoassay measuring SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses using Elispot for interferon-gamma 1- and 8- months post full BNT162b2 vaccination, in 10 health-care professionals. To explore whether the declining abundance of coronavirus-specific T-cells (CoV-2-STs) truly reflects decreased capacity for viral control, rather than the attenuating viral stimulus over time, we modeled ex vivo the T-cellular response upon viral challenge in fully vaccinated immunocompetent individuals, 1- and 8months post BNT162b2. Findings.: Notwithstanding the declining CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies and CoV-2-STs, re-challenged CoV-2-STs, 1- and 8-months post vaccination, presented similar functional characteristics including high cytotoxicity against both the unmutated virus and the delta variant.Interpretation.: These findings suggest robust and sustained cellular immune response upon SARS-C omicron V-2 antigen exposure, 8 months post mRNA vaccination, despite declining C omicron V-2-STs over time in the presence of an attenuating viral stimulus.

Automated summary

This study found that despite the decrease in neutralizing antibodies and specific T-cell abundance over time after vaccination, individuals still maintain a strong cellular immune response when exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.