Evolution of long-term vaccine-induced and hybrid immunity in healthcare workers after different COVID-19 vaccine regimens



Moore, Shona C ORCID: 0000-0001-8610-2806, Kronsteiner, Barbara, Longet, Stephanie, Adele, Sandra, Deeks, Alexandra S, Liu, Chang, Dejnirattisai, Wanwisa, Reyes, Laura Silva, Meardon, Naomi, Faustini, Sian
et al (show 55 more authors) (2023) Evolution of long-term vaccine-induced and hybrid immunity in healthcare workers after different COVID-19 vaccine regimens. MED, 4 (3). 191-+.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Both infection and vaccination, alone or in combination, generate antibody and T cell responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the maintenance of such responses-and hence protection from disease-requires careful characterization. In a large prospective study of UK healthcare workers (HCWs) (Protective Immunity from T Cells in Healthcare Workers [PITCH], within the larger SARS-CoV-2 Immunity and Reinfection Evaluation [SIREN] study), we previously observed that prior infection strongly affected subsequent cellular and humoral immunity induced after long and short dosing intervals of BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) vaccination.<h4>Methods</h4>Here, we report longer follow-up of 684 HCWs in this cohort over 6-9 months following two doses of BNT162b2 or AZD1222 (Oxford/AstraZeneca) vaccination and up to 6 months following a subsequent mRNA booster vaccination.<h4>Findings</h4>We make three observations: first, the dynamics of humoral and cellular responses differ; binding and neutralizing antibodies declined, whereas T and memory B cell responses were maintained after the second vaccine dose. Second, vaccine boosting restored immunoglobulin (Ig) G levels; broadened neutralizing activity against variants of concern, including Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5; and boosted T cell responses above the 6-month level after dose 2. Third, prior infection maintained its impact driving larger and broader T cell responses compared with never-infected people, a feature maintained until 6 months after the third dose.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Broadly cross-reactive T cell responses are well maintained over time-especially in those with combined vaccine and infection-induced immunity ("hybrid" immunity)-and may contribute to continued protection against severe disease.<h4>Funding</h4>Department for Health and Social Care, Medical Research Council.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: PITCH Consortium, Humans, Vaccines, Prospective Studies, Health Personnel, Immunity, Humoral, Antibodies, Neutralizing, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 Vaccines, BNT162 Vaccine, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 17 May 2023 14:07
Last Modified: 17 May 2023 14:08
DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.02.004
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3170447