Immunogenicity and Safety of Half-Dose Heterologous mRNA-1273 Booster Vaccination for Adults Primed with the CoronaVac® and ChAdOx1-S Vaccines for SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been extensively researched, particularly with regard to COVID-19 vaccines. However, issues with logistics and availability might cause delays in vaccination programs. Thus, the efficacy and safety of half-dose heterologous mRNA should be explored. This was an open-label observational study to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of half-dose mRNA-1273 as a booster vaccine among adults aged >18 years who underwent a complete primary SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) vaccination regimen with CoronaVac® and ChAdOx1-S. Adverse events (AEs), seropositivity rate, seroconversion, geometric mean titer (GMT) of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, neutralizing antibodies, and T cells (CD4+ and CD8+) specific for SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed. Two hundred subjects were included in the final analysis, with 100 subjects in each priming vaccine group. Most of the AEs were mild, with systemic manifestations occurring between 1 and 7 days following vaccination. A significant difference was observed in the GMT and seropositivity rate following booster dose administration between the two groups. CD8+/CD3+, IFN (interferon)-producing CD8+, and TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-producing CD8+ cells showed significant increases in both groups. The administration of the half-dose mRNA-1273 booster is safe and effective in increasing protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.