Longer interval between Covid vaccine doses generates nine times higher antibodies: Study


PTI, Apr 22, 2022, 1:23 PM IST

Credit: iStock Photo

A longer interval between the first two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine may boost antibody levels up to nine-fold, according to a study conducted in the UK.

The finding by researchers at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also suggests that eight months after primary infection may be an optimum time to receive the first vaccine in those with prior infection.

However, the analysis shows that regardless of timing between infection and vaccination, all individuals mount a very high antibody response after the second dose.

In the yet-to-be published study, the researchers measured antibody levels in blood samples taken from almost 6,000 healthcare workers from across the UK.

As many as 3,989 of the 5,871 study participants had their first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 21 days earlier, while 1,882 had their second dose at least 14 days earlier.

The participants were classified by infection history as either previously having had COVID-19 — which was confirmed by a PCR test or assumed due to their antibody profile — or naive, with no history of infection.

Almost all (over 99 per cent) of those who had not had COVID-19 after vaccination developed antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the researchers said.

After the first dose, those with previous infection had up to ten times higher antibody levels than naive individuals, while after second dose, those with previous infection had antibody levels more than twice as high as those who had not had previous infection, they said. When analysing dosing intervals, the researchers found that longer dosing interval was associated with antibody levels that were up to nine times higher in naive participants with a more pronounced effect observed in younger participants.

”This study shows that a longer time between vaccine dose 1 and dose 2 results in higher antibody responses in naive participants, which strongly supports the decision by the UK government to lengthen the interval between vaccine doses,” said Ashley Otter, from UK Health Security Agency.

”We have also shown that in those with previous infection, timing between exposure and vaccination plays a critical role in post-vaccination antibody responses,” Otter said in a statement.

However, the researchers said further research is needed to determine whether these higher antibody levels provide greater protection against COVID-19 disease, and how this longer dosing interval may affect booster responses.

The research is being presented at this year’s European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Lisbon, Portugal, held between April 23-26.

Dosing interval did not affect antibody levels in those previously infected.

However, a longer interval between infection and vaccination was linked to higher antibody levels, the researchers said.

Those who had their first dose of the vaccine eight months after an infection had antibody levels seven times higher than those who were vaccinated three months after infection, with a plateau after eight months, they said.

The study also found that female participants and those from ethnic minorities were associated with significantly higher antibody levels, while immunosuppression was associated with significantly lower post-vaccination antibody responses.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

World Bunts Summit to be held in Mumbai on December 7

SC dismisses PIL seeking CBI probe into Tirupati laddus row

Salman Khan gets another threat; message sent to Mumbai traffic police helpline

SC overrules 1967 verdict holding AMU can’t be minority institution

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, editors of Kannada news portals booked for allegedly spreading fake news

Egg distribution scheme for school children under scrutiny over alleged mismanagement

India Post M’luru division to offer doorstep service to pensioners for Jeevan Praman certificate

Related Articles More

Doctors report treating ‘petticoat cancer’ in women who might have tied sarees tightly at waist

The Role of Screening and Early Detection in Liver Cancer

Need to recognise obesity as chronic disease: Experts

Study reveals how gut microbes work with body clock in managing stress

Weight loss could help one manage PCOS symptoms, study suggests

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

World Bunts Summit to be held in Mumbai on December 7

SC refuses to examine plea to appoint ‘yoga mitra’ instructors in schools

Maha Vikas Aghadi a vehicle sans wheels and brakes: PM Modi

LDF lodges complaint with EC, seeks probe into distribution of food kits in Wayanad

SC dismisses PIL seeking CBI probe into Tirupati laddus row

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.