Vaccination After SARS-CoV-2 Infection Increased Antibody Avidity Against the Omicron Variant Compared to Vaccination Alone

J Infect Dis. 2022 Nov 11;226(10):1712-1716. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiac247.

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has caused infections among individuals vaccinated or with prior COVID-19, suggesting immune escape. Here, we showed a decrease in binding and surrogate neutralizing antibody responses to the Omicron variant after 2 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Individuals recovered from infection before vaccination had higher antibody levels and avidity to the Omicron variant compared to individuals vaccinated without infection. This suggested that COVID-19 infection before vaccination elicited a higher magnitude and affinity antibody response to the Omicron variant, and repeated exposure through infection or vaccine may be required to improve immunity to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antibody response; vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antibody Affinity
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccination
  • Viral Vaccines*
  • mRNA Vaccines

Substances

  • Viral Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants