Age and smoking predict antibody titres at 3 months after the second dose of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine

Abstract

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine antibody (Ab) titres 3 months after the second dose of the BNT162b2 coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and to explore clinical variables predicting these titres in Japan.MethodsWe enrolled 378 healthcare workers (255 women, 123 men) whose blood samples were collected 91±15 days after the second of two inoculations of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/BioNTech) given 3 weeks apart. Medical histories and demographic characteristics were recorded using a structured self-reported questionnaire. The relationships between Ab titres and these factors were analysed.ResultsMedian age (interquartile range [IQR]) of the participants was 44 (32-54) years. Median Ab titre (IQR) against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike antigen was 764 (423-1140) U/mL. Older participants had significantly lower Ab titres; median (IQR) Ab titres were 942 (675-1390) and 1095 (741-1613) U/mL in men and women in their 20s, respectively, but 490 (297-571) and 519 (285-761) U/mL in men and women in their 60s-70s, respectively. In the age-adjusted analysis, the only risk factors for lower Ab titres were male sex and smoking. However, the sex difference may have arisen from the sex difference in smoking rate. Moreover, Ab titres were significantly lower in current smokers than in ex-smokers.ConclusionThe most important factors associated with low Ab titres were age and smoking habit. In particular, current smoking status caused lower Ab titres, and smoking cessation before vaccination may improve the individual efficacy of the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Durability of SARS-CoV-2 Specific IgG Antibody Responses Following Two Doses of Match and Mixed COVID-19 Vaccines Regimens in Saudi Population

“…Other study showed the smokers were at risk of a reduced immune response to COVID-19 vaccines, although more research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. 26 Our data shows that IgG titer response to SARS-CoV-2 antigen is generated both in systemic or mucosal compartments following the second dose of vaccine regimen. The antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 involves production of high concentrations of specific IgG in systemic circulation that then migrate to other mucosal sites but are detectable in very low amounts in saliva and other sites, even though the level of total IgA is high.…”

Can individuals with suboptimal antibody responses to conventional antiviral vaccines acquire adequate antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination?

“…However, the factors associated with a low antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines are not well understood. Smokers, patients with cancer and hematological malignancies, and organ transplant recipients have been reported to have a lower SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibody response than individuals without these characteristics after receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (22)(23)(24)(25)(26). It is intriguing that the suboptimal responders in this study who did not produce adequate antibodies against measles or mumps produced adequate SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibodies after receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine.…”

Epidemiology, clinical ramifications, and cellular pathogenesis of COVID-19 mRNA-vaccination-induced adverse cardiovascular outcomes: A state-of-the-heart review

“…To summarize, several studies reporting cases of cardiovascular side effects secondary to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been discussed. These include myocarditis, perimyocarditis, pericarditis, MIs, and Takotsubo syndrome [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] . Most pertinently, the time between vaccination and the onset of symptoms varied between complications.…”

“…Interestingly, patients with comorbidities, specifically hypertension and active smoking, exhibited significantly lower antibody titers following COVID-19 vaccination, which could contribute to an increased likelihood of post-vaccine complications [22] . Another study sheds further light by promoting smoking cessation prior to vaccination to ameliorate the efficacy of the BioNTech Pfizer vaccine [23] .…”

“…Future studies are necessary to confirm the true relationship and strength of association between the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and cardiovascular complications reported in this review. Further research is warranted on the extent to which a SARS-CoV-2 infection can itself elicit adverse downstream cardiovascular effects [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] . While the race towards the development of novel, all-encompassing vaccinations runs astride the pharmaceutical giants, it is pivotal to factor in the ramifications that these vaccines can elicit.…”