In this video, Roger Seheult, MD of MedCram explains a recent study out of the prestigious science journal Cell that compares all four available COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. (Moderna, Pfizer, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson) versus natural COVID-19 infection and the efficacy after 6 months. The principal investigators include Dr. Weiskopf, Dr. Crotty, and Dr. Sette. They review the binding immunoglobulins (IgG), neutralization of the virus, CD4 cells, circulating T follicular helper cell, CD8 cells, and memory B cells in comparison across the vaccines and in natural infection concluding at 6 months.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is not to say which vaccine is better. Vaccines in general and more specifically each type of vaccine (ie mRNA, adenovirus vector versus traditional) each carry their own benefit and risk. The purpose of this study was to look from an immunological standpoint and see what the effects on the immune system were with each type of vaccine and natural infection. It was to look at the benefits and efficacy of each of the vaccines and natural infection to protect against infection and disease in SARS-CoV-2.
Limitations of the Study
Limitations of this study include that it only addressed the native SARS-CoV-2 virus and not the subsequent variants. Also, other vaccines such as Astra Zeneca, Coronavac, Sinopharm, and Sputnik were not included due to lack of availability.
Study Findings
The study found that antibodies against the spike protein IgG at 6 months were seen in all the vaccines and in naturally infected individuals. It concluded that recipients of mRNA vaccines had a 4.5-fold higher spike IgG, 6.4-fold higher RBD IgG, and a 3.40-fold higher neutralizing antibody titer compared to natural infection. Antibody titers from the Novovax recipients also trended higher than SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects. Antibody titers from the Johnson and Johnson were similar to titers from SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects.
Immunity and Antibody Response
However, immunity is more than just the antibody response when it comes to staying out of the hospital and maintaining wellness. If you can elicit a T cell response you can get a more robust cell-mediated immunity.
Conclusion
The study found overall that while antibody levels decline, memory T cells and B cells were comparatively stable.
LINKS / REFERENCES:
Humoral and cellular immune memory to four COVID-19 vaccines (Cell) | https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8…
Low-dose mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine generates durable memory enhanced by cross-reactive T cells (Science) | https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/s…
MedCram Update 46: https://youtu.be/EFRwnhfWXxo
MedCram Update 47: https://youtu.be/H1LHgyfPPQ8
MedCram Update 132: https://youtu.be/9OZZ6_M4OB0
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