Evaluation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response to COVID-19 vaccine deployment in the Bono Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background Preliminary data across the globe shows that the AstraZeneca vaccine was highly effective in preventing not only the symptoms but also the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In Ghana, data on the immune response generated by different vaccination doses is lacking. The present study aimed to compare the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response among single and double-vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals. Methods A case-control design was employed for this study. Seventy-nine participants (35 vaccinated, 44 unvaccinated) were recruited from the Sunyani West Municipality and screened for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM antibodies in plasma samples using a Standard COVID IgG and IgM Combo FIA test. Data analysis was carried out with STATA (Version 21). Results The current study showed that mean IgG levels among vaccine groups (Group-1: Not vaccinated, Group-2: 1 dose, Group-3: 2 doses) differed significantly (F 2, 76 =11.457, p<.001) between Group-1 and Group-3; and between Group-2 and Group-3. Participants in Group-2 and Group-3 were 4.1 and 12.5 times more likely to develop more antibody responses compared to their counterparts in Group-1 respectively. Conclusion The study showed that participants who took one shot of the vaccine, as well as those who took two shots of the AstraZeneca Vaccine, were 4.1 and 12.5 times more likely to develop a greater antibody response than those who did not receive the vaccine respectively.