Waning of IgG, total and neutralizing antibodies 6 months post-vaccination with BNT162b2 in healthcare workers

Abstract

Abstract Data about the duration of humoral response following COVID-19 vaccines are mandatory to establish appropriate population vaccination strategy. This study reports on the antibody decline observed in a population of COVID-19 naïve and COVID-19 positive individuals having received the two dose regimen of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Six months after vaccination, a significant antibody decline was observed in both COVID-19 naïve and positive individuals. The estimated half-life of total and IgG antibodies differs and ranges from several months for total antibodies to only several weeks for IgG antibodies, explaining the significant proportions of participants with non-detectable levels of neutralizing antibodies at 6 months. Whether this decrease correlates with an equivalent drop in the clinical effectiveness against the virus will require appropriate clinical studies. Nevertheless, these data are already important to support the decision-making on the potential use of a booster dose.