COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination Generates Greater Immunoglobulin G Levels in Women Compared to Men

J Infect Dis. 2021 Sep 1;224(5):793-797. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiab314.

Abstract

We investigated whether the antibody response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination is similar in women and men. In a community cohort without prior COVID-19, first vaccine dose produced higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and percent inhibition of spike-ACE2 receptor binding, a surrogate measure of virus neutralization, in women compared to men (7.0 µg/mL, 51.6% vs 3.3 µg/mL, 36.4%). After 2 doses, IgG levels remained significantly higher for women (30.4 µg/mL) compared to men (20.6 µg/mL), while percent inhibition was similar (98.4% vs 97.7%). Sex-specific antibody response to mRNA vaccination informs future efforts to understand vaccine protection and side effects.

Keywords: COVID-19; ELISA; IgG; SARS-CoV-2; dried blood spots; neutralizing; receptor binding domain; serological testing; vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antibody Formation / immunology
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Immunologic Tests / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutralization Tests / methods
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / immunology
  • Vaccination / methods
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology*
  • mRNA Vaccines

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Vaccines, Synthetic