Follow-up SARS-CoV-2 serological study of a health care worker cohort following COVID-19 booster vaccination.
BMC Infect Dis
; 24(1): 436, 2024 Apr 24.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38658874
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Studies have shown that Omicron breakthrough infections can occur at higher SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels compared to previous variants. Estimating the magnitude of immunological protection induced from COVID-19 vaccination and previous infection remains important due to varying local pandemic dynamics and types of vaccination programmes, particularly among at-risk populations such as health care workers (HCWs). We analysed a follow-up SARS-CoV-2 serological survey of HCWs at a tertiary COVID-19 referral hospital in Germany following the onset of the Omicron variant.METHODS:
The serological survey was conducted in January 2022, one year after previous surveys in 2020 and the availability of COVID-19 boosters including BNT162b2, ChAdOx1-S, and mRNA-1273. HCWs voluntarily provided blood for serology and completed a comprehensive questionnaire. SARS-CoV-2 serological analyses were performed using an Immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibody levels were reported according to HCW demographic and occupational characteristics, COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection history, and multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate these associations.RESULTS:
In January 2022 (following the fourth COVID-19 wave in Germany including the onset of the Omicron variant), 1482/1517 (97.7%) HCWs tested SARS-CoV-2 seropositive, compared to 4.6% in December 2020 (second COVID-19 wave). Approximately 80% had received three COVID-19 vaccine doses and 15% reported a previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 IgG geometric mean titres ranged from 335 (95% Confidence Intervals [CI] 258-434) among those vaccinated twice and without previous infection to 2204 (95% CI 1919-2531) among those vaccinated three times and with previous infection. Heterologous COVID-19 vaccination combinations including a mRNA-1273 booster were significantly associated with the highest IgG antibody levels compared to other schemes. There was an 8-to 10-fold increase in IgG antibody levels among 31 HCWs who reported a SARS-CoV-2 infection in May 2020 to January 2022 after COVID-19 booster vaccination.CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings demonstrate the importance of ongoing COVID-19 booster vaccination strategies in the context of variants such as Omicron and despite hybrid immunity from previous SARS-CoV-2 infections, particularly for at-risk populations such as HCWs. Where feasible, effective types of booster vaccination, such as mRNA vaccines, and the appropriate timing of administration should be carefully considered.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Inmunoglobulina G
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Inmunización Secundaria
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Personal de Salud
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Vacunas contra la COVID-19
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SARS-CoV-2
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COVID-19
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Anticuerpos Antivirales
Límite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Infect Dis
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Alemania