Assessment of immunoglobin G (spike and nucleocapsid protein) response to COVID-19 vaccination in Palestine.

Introduction: Many countries have begun immunization programs and established protocols to combat pandemics caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Six months after vaccination, the antibody titers produced by the immunization begin to decline, and individuals whose first immunization (either one or two doses) did not provide adequate protection may require a booster dose. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey of 18-year-olds and older was undertaken in the West Bank from June 15 to June 27, 2022. Each participant had 5 mL of blood drawn to be tested for IgG-S, IgG-N, and blood group. Results: All participants had positive IgG-S results; IgG-S values ranged between 77 and 40,000 AU/ml, with a mean value of 1254 AU/ml. The value of IgG-N ranged from 0 to 139.3 U/ml for all participants, with a mean value of 22.4 U/ml. 64 (37.2%) of the participants demonstrated positive IgG-N screening results, with mean values of 51.2 U/ml. Female participants' mean IgG concentration was higher than male participants. Furthermore, the results revealed that smokers had lower levels of vaccine-induced antibodies than nonsmokers. High significance was found in the time from the last vaccine till the blood sample test (T = 3.848, P < .001), and the group between 6 and 9 months was found to have higher mean values than the 9-months group (M = 15952). Conclusions: Participants vaccinated with a higher number of vaccines tend to have higher IgG-S. To elevate total antibodies, booster doses are essential. Additional researchers are needed to examine the positive correlation between IgG-S and IgG-N.

IMMUNE RESPONSES TO MRNA AND INACTIVATED COVID-19 VACCINES AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN HONG KONG

COVID-19 vaccines against the earlier strains of SARS-CoV-2 are now available. However, breakthrough infections can still occur due to waning antibodies and immune escape by new variants. We assessed humoral immune responses to the mRNA (BNT162b2) and inactivated (CoronaVac) vaccines in our healthcare worker cohort (HCW). We recruited HCWs from public and private healthcare institutions across Hong Kong and collected blood samples at enrolment and every 6 months from June 2020 to June 2022. A subset of volunteers provided blood samples between 10 – 42 days after each dose of vaccine. Immune responses to vaccination were measured as SARS-CoV-2 binding antibodies detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies by surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Among the 1,736 HCWs enrolled in our cohort, 252 HCWs provided pre- and post-vaccination blood samples after each dose of either vaccine. Two doses of BNT162b2 generated levels of neutralizing antibodies (sVNT inhibition = 96.8%, range = 42.8%, 98.2%) comparable to those generated by natural infections in the first wave (sVNT inhibition = 84.0%, range = 32.9%, 93.8%). Similar levels were achieved with three doses of CoronaVac (sVNT inhibition = 95.3%, range = 64.7%, 98.3%) and heterologous vaccination with two doses of CoronaVac followed by a booster dose of BNT162b2 vaccine (sVNT inhibition = 97.0%, range = 85.8%, 97.7%). These antibody levels waned faster after second doses and slower after third doses for both vaccines. The BNT162b2 vaccine and CoronaVac vaccines can generate robust antibody responses comparable to natural infections. Three doses of the CoronaVac vaccine, or a heterologous boost with the BNT162b2 vaccine following two doses of the CoronaVac vaccine are required to achieve similar levels of neutralising antibodies in vaccinees who received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Journal of Infectious Diseases is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Health Matters

In the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be time to rethink booster recommendations, says one vaccine expert who serves on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's vaccine advisory committee. In addition, studies show that people who received the bivalent Omicron booster don't make appreciably higher levels of virus-fighting antibodies against the BA.4 and BA.5 strains than people who received the original booster. "The experience of the past year has taught us that chasing these Omicron variants with a bivalent vaccine is a losing game", says Offit, who also developed the rotavirus vaccine and is director of the vaccine-education center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Time International (Atlantic Edition) is the property of TIME USA, LLC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

No difference in anti-spike antibody and surrogate viral neutralization following SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination in persons with HIV compared to controls (CO-HIV Study).

Background: Understanding the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination will enable accurate counseling and inform evolving vaccination strategies. Little is known about antibody response following booster vaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH). Methods: We enrolled SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated PLWH and controls without HIV in similar proportions based on age and comorbidities. Participants completed surveys on prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination, and comorbidities, and provided self-collected dried blood spots (DBS). Quantitative anti-spike IgG and surrogate viral neutralization assays targeted wild-type (WT), Delta, and Omicron variants. We also measured quantitative anti-nucleocapsid IgG. The analysis population had received full SARS-CoV-2 vaccination plus one booster dose. Bivariate analyses for continuous outcomes utilized Wilcoxon tests and multivariate analysis used linear models. Results: The analysis population comprised 140 PLWH and 75 controls with median age 58 and 55 years, males 95% and 43%, and DBS collection on 112 and 109 days after the last booster dose, respectively. Median CD4 count among PLWH was 760 cells/mm3 and 91% had an undetectable HIV-1 viral load. Considering WT, Delta, and Omicron variants, there was no significant difference in mean quantitative anti-spike IgG between PLWH (3.3, 2.9, 1.8) and controls (3.3, 2.9, 1.8), respectively (p-values=0. 771, 0.920, 0.708). Surrogate viral neutralization responses were similar in PLWH (1.0, 0.9, and 0.4) and controls (1.0, 0.9, 0.5), respectively (p-values=0.594, 0.436, 0.706). Conclusions: PLWH whose CD4 counts are well preserved and persons without HIV have similar anti-spike IgG antibody levels and viral neutralization responses after a single SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination.

The Outcome of BNT162b2, ChAdOx1-Sand mRNA-1273 Vaccines and Two Boosters: A Prospective Longitudinal Real-World Study.

To date, the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses has yet to be evaluated in longitudinal head-to-head studies. This single-center longitudinal study assessed the effectiveness of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273 vaccines and assessed two BNT162b2 boosters in 1550 participants, of whom 26% had comorbidities. In addition, the SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics was monitored. A group of 1500 unvaccinated subjects was included as the controls. The study's endpoint was the development of virologically-proven COVID-19 cases after vaccine completion, while the secondary endpoint was hospitalizations due to severe COVID-19. Overall, 23 (4.6%), 16 (3%), and 18 (3.8%) participants vaccinated with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273, respectively, developed COVID-19 after vaccine completion, with an effectiveness of 89%, 92%, and 90%. Ten COVID-19 cases were reported in participants with comorbidities, three of whom were hospitalized. No hospitalizations occurred after boosters. SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels peaked 2-4 weeks after the second vaccine dose but declined after a mean of 28.50 ± 3.48 weeks. Booster doses significantly enhanced antibody responses. Antibody titers ≤ 154 U/mL were associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 emergence. Thus, COVID-19 vaccines effectively reduced COVID-19 and prevented severe disease. The vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses declined after 28-32 weeks. Booster doses induced significant maintained responses. SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels may help determine the timing and need for vaccine booster doses.

Pivoting Covid-19 Vaccination Through Mvax: A Perspective From An Lmic Setup.

Several countries including Pakistan have already started deploying booster vaccinations owing to the COVID-19 pandemic yet in Pakistan populace is not fully vaccinated yet and currently Pakistan has bracied for another potential Covid-19 surge, as the number of cases in the nation has been escalating, driving the positive rate even higher. Vaccine inequity and acceptance has been an issue in Pakistan owing to lack of knowledge, lack of proximity to healthcare facilities, poor socio-economic status, etc. Also, the behaviour of the populace in Pakistan varies from that of other countries in that when COVID-19 cases declined, individuals thought the virus has been abolished and they stopped following standard operating procedures (SOPs). In this context, this article introduces the notion of mobile vaccination for everyone, which may be implemented to improve vaccination coverage.

Dataset on Young People's Intention Towards Covid-19 Booster Vaccines in Malaysia

This study assessed the level of acceptance and predictor factors influencing the intention of Malaysian youths towards three COVID-19 vaccines: the Sinovac inactivated virus vaccine, the AstraZeneca viral vector vaccine and the Pfizer mRNA vaccine. The study data are related to the intention of young Malaysians towards booster vaccines for controlling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus transmission. This study was conducted through an online survey from 1 January 2022 to 31 January 2022 involving semester 1 (2021/2022) students pursuing Philosophy and Current Issues course in the National University of Malaysia. Overall, the respondents demonstrated positive intentions towards the booster vaccines as they considered them beneficial and religiously acceptable but also acknowledged that the booster vaccines presented moderate risks. The detailed findings provide insights into the acceptance of young people towards booster vaccines. Accordingly, the development of policies and action plans by the Malaysian government and further studies by other researchers interested in the data are highly recommended.

Efficacy of COVID-19 Booster Vaccines in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: Experiences in a Real-World Scenario.

BACKGROUND: Two-dose COVID-19 vaccination often results in poor humoral response rates in patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs); yet responses to COVID-19 booster vaccines and the risk of COVID-19 infection post-booster are mostly uncertain. METHODS: We included 200 outpatients with HMs and predominantly lymphoid neoplasms (96%, 191/200) in our academic center and reported on the humoral responses, which were assessed by measurement of anti-spike IgG antibodies in peripheral blood as early as 14 days after mRNA-based prime-boost vaccination, as well as factors hampering booster efficacy. Previous basic (double) immunization was applied according to the local recommendations with mRNA- and/or vector-based vaccines. We also report on post-booster COVID-19 breakthrough infections that emerged in the Omicron era and the prophylaxis strategies that were applied to poor and non-responders to booster vaccines. RESULTS: A total of 55% (110/200) of the patients achieved seroconversion (i.e., anti-spike protein IgG antibody titer > 100 AU/mL assessed in median 48 days after prime-boost vaccination) after prime-boost vaccination. Multivariable analyses revealed age, lymphocytopenia, ongoing treatment and prior anti-CD20 B-cell depletion to be independent predictors for booster failure. With each month between anti-CD20-mediated B-cell depletion and booster vaccination, the probability of seroconversion increased by approximately 4% (p < 0.001) and serum-antibody titer (S-AbT) levels increased by 90 AU/mL (p = 0.011). Notably, obinutuzumab treatment was associated with an 85% lower probability for seroconversion after prime-boost vaccination compared to rituximab (p = 0.002). Of poor or non-responders to prime-boost vaccination, 41% (47/114) underwent a second booster and 73% (83/114) underwent passive immunization. COVID-19 breakthrough infections were observed in 15% (29/200) of patients after prime-boost vaccination with predominantly mild courses (93%). Next to seroconversion, passive immunization was associated with a significantly lower risk of COVID-19 breakthrough infections after booster, even in vaccine non-responders (all p < 0.05). In a small proportion of analyzed patients with myeloid neoplasms (9/200), the seroconversion rate was higher compared to those with lymphoid ones (78% vs. 54%, accordingly), while the incidence rate of COVID-19 breakthrough infections was similar (22% vs. 14%, respectively). Following the low frequency of myeloid neoplasms in this study, the results may not be automatically applied to a larger cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HMs are at a high risk of COVID-19 booster vaccine failure; yet COVID-19 breakthrough infections after prime-boost vaccination are predominantly mild. Booster failure can likely be overcome by passive immunization, thereby providing immune protection against COVID-19 and attenuating the severity of COVID-19 courses. Further sophistication of clinical algorithms for preventing post-vaccination COVID-19 breakthrough infections is urgently needed.

Attitudes towards COVID-19 Booster Vaccines, Vaccine Preferences, Child Immunization, and Recent Issues in Vaccination among University Students in Jordan.

Although COVID-19 vaccines have been available in Jordan for more than a year, Jordan suffers from a low vaccination rate. The aim of this study was to explore attitudes towards recent issues in vaccination among university students in Jordan. We adopted a cross sectional study design using an online questionnaire distributed in a Jordanian university with a medical school chosen at random. The survey asked about COVID-19 vaccine preferences, factors affecting COVID-19 vaccine preferences, child vaccination, and booster vaccines. A total of 417 students completed the survey. Most respondents (54.7%) preferred the Pfizer vaccine, and 6.2% refused to take any vaccine. Pfizer's efficacy against new strains is a main factor in preferring Pfizer over other vaccines (p < 0.01). Most respondents (71%) believed that vaccination is crucial to prevent COVID-19 surges from new COVID-19 strains, while 44.6% of respondents believed that children should be included in vaccination campaigns, and 70% believed that booster vaccines required more studies to prove their efficacy. Students had mixed attitudes towards many recent issues concerning COVID-19 vaccination. Studying these factors and attitudes in more depth and in different populations can pave the way towards improving vaccination rates worldwide.

Considerations of CD8+ T Cells for Optimized Vaccine Strategies Against Respiratory Viruses.

The primary goal of vaccines that protect against respiratory viruses appears to be the induction of neutralizing antibodies for a long period. Although this goal need not be changed, recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants have drawn strong attention to another arm of acquired immunity, CD8+ T cells, which are also called killer T cells. Recent evidence accumulated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has revealed that even variants of SARS-CoV-2 that escaped from neutralizing-antibodies that were induced by either infection or vaccination could not escape from CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity. In addition, although traditional vaccine platforms, such as inactivated virus and subunit vaccines, are less efficient in inducing CD8+ T cells, newly introduced platforms for SARS-CoV-2, namely, mRNA and adenoviral vector vaccines, can induce strong CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity in addition to inducing neutralizing antibodies. However, CD8+ T cells function locally and need to be at the site of infection to control it. To fully utilize the protective performance of CD8+ T cells, it would be insufficient to induce only memory cells circulating in blood, using injectable vaccines; mucosal immunization could be required to set up CD8+ T cells for the optimal protection. CD8+ T cells might also contribute to the pathology of the infection, change their function with age and respond differently to booster vaccines in comparison with antibodies. Herein, we overview cutting-edge ideas on CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity that can enable the rational design of vaccines for respiratory viruses.

KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS REGARDING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND WILLINGNESS FOR VACCINATION AMONG CLINICAL STUDENTS IN PRIVATE DENTAL COLLEGES IN CHENNAI

Background : The aim of this study was to estimate the awareness which clinical students have on vaccination since they have higher chances of exposure.The COVID-19 vaccine may play a role in establishing herd immunity, and there is an importance in addressing vaccine hesitancy through well-developed and empirically-based education campaigns. Methods and methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study among 100 clinical students in different colleges in Chennai. They were asked basic questionnaires regarding COVID-19 pandemic and their knowledge and willingness for vaccination. The data were collected in excel and analysed using SPSS. Results : In this study, clinical students have participated and completed the questionnaire. In that 59% were male and 41% were female. 13% males had taken vaccines in the last 14 days in comparison to 39% females who had taken vaccines in the last 14 days. 18% males and 34% females had experienced Covid before. 38% males and 69% females were willing to take booster vaccines. 61% males and 65% females are feeling nervous about vaccines. 44% males and 47% females will encourage others to take up vaccines. 28% males and 52% females were working during Covid. Conclusion : Prevalence of vaccination and COVID-19 disease was higher among females in our population. Further, a higher percentage of female students (69%) were willing for vaccinations compared to males (38%). So the clinical students should take every step to be safe and should make the patients feel safe.

The Psychological Experience of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Impact on the Willingness to Receive Booster Vaccines among the Chinese Population: Evidence from a National Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the psychological experience of COVID-19 basic vaccination, the willingness to receive booster vaccines, and to determine their relationships among Chinese people. Between 6 August 2021 and 9 August 2021, a research firm performed a national cross-sectional online survey among Chinese individuals (aged over 18), using the snowball sampling approach, with 26,755 participants. Factor analysis and binary logistic regression were used to evaluate the existing associations. The overall COVID-19 vaccination psychological experience score of the participants was 25.83 (25.78~25.89; scores ranged from 7-35). A total of 93.83% (95%CI = 93.54~94.12) of respondents indicated a willingness to receive booster vaccines. After classifying psychological experiences associated with COVID-19 vaccination into positive and negative experiences and adjusting for confounding factors, for the former, the willingness to receive booster vaccines for participants with the highest scores of 13-15 was 3.933 times higher (OR = 3.933, 95%CI = 3.176~4.871) than participants who obtained scores of 3-9, and for the latter, the willingness to receive booster vaccines for participants with the highest scores of 19-20 was 8.871 times higher (OR = 8.871, 95%CI = 6.240~12.612) than participants who obtained scores of 4-13. Our study suggests that a good psychological experience with vaccination is positively associated with an increased willingness to receive booster vaccines.

Opinion Polls and Antibody Response Dynamics of Vaccination with COVID-19 Booster Vaccines.

As the third year of the global COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination remains the most effective tool against infections and symptomatic illness. Comprehension regarding immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is limited, and the durability of immune responses after vaccination is currently not clear. In this study, we randomly collected 395 questionnaires to analyze the current state of COVID-19 vaccination. At the same time, the serum of 16 individuals who had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were collected at different times before and after the booster vaccination. We analyzed the dynamic changes of SARS-CoV-2 S-specific binding antibodies in serum and immunological indicators. By collecting public opinion surveys and analyzing variational trends of SARS-CoV-2 S-specific binding antibodies and immune indicators after COVID-19 booster vaccination, we endeavored to demonstrate the concerns affecting people's booster vaccinations, as well as the frequency, timing, and necessity of COVID-19 booster vaccinations. The analysis of antibody results in 16 vaccinated volunteers showed that the antibody concentration decreased six months after the second dose and the protective effect of the virus was reduced. The third dose of COVID-19 vaccination is necessary to maintain the antibody concentration and the protective effect of the virus. The vaccination with the vaccine booster depends not only on the time interval but also on the initial concentration of the SARS-CoV-2 S-specific binding antibody before the booster. Our study has important implications for raising public awareness of vaccinating against SARS-CoV-2 and the necessity of COVID-19 booster vaccinations.

Epidemiologic Analysis of Delta Variant SARS-CoV-2 in a Cohort of Lung Transplant Recipients

Lung transplant (LTx) recipients have increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and have reduced efficacy from COVID-19 vaccination. The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 has increased virulence compared to earlier variants. We hypothesized that LTx recipients would have increased susceptibility to Delta variant infection despite vaccination. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 314 LTx recipients followed between 1/1/2020-9/30/2021. Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR was recorded;Delta variant comprised >99% of strains from 6/1/2021-9/30/2021. Data regarding COVID-19 vaccination status, symptom development, hospitalization, intubation, and death were collected. Forty-four patients (14%) were diagnosed with COVID-19, 18 (41%) of which were Delta variant. The rate of infection with Delta was 4-fold higher than with earlier strains (Figure, 0.016 vs. 0.004 cases / patient months, p<0.001). Fifteen (83%) patients diagnosed with Delta variant were fully vaccinated at the time of infection (p<0.001). The rate of infection with Delta variant in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals was similar (0.017/patient months with vaccine, 0.015/patient months without vaccine, p=0.84). The majority (>89%) of patients had respiratory symptoms in both groups. More patients with Delta variant received monoclonal antibody infusions (89% vs. 54%, p=0.021) and fewer patients with Delta variant had resolution of disease (50% vs. 92%, p<0.001). There was a trend towards greater O 2 needs with Delta variant (p=0.07). Hospitalization (38% vs. 23%), intubation (11% vs. 4%), and death (11% vs. 4%) were numerically greater with Delta variant, although not statistically significant. The incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection was significantly greater with Delta variant in LTx recipients, despite high prevalence of full vaccination during the Delta wave. Further study in larger cohorts is needed to determine whether booster vaccines can reduce such infectivity. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

THE AUTHORS REPLY: BNT162b2 Vaccine Booster and Covid-19 Mortality

The article presents the discussion on large-scale population study in the US showing lower risk of non-Covid-19-related death among participants receiving primary vaccination with two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine.