Delaying a second Pfizer vaccination could improve antibody response

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-02-04 03:00

International

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Receiving a second Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 two to four months after your first dose could improve your antibody response compared to a three to six-week gap, according to international research. The team tested the blood of a group of healthcare workers vaccinated with Pfizer with a dose gap of three to six weeks, and compared results with a second group vaccinated with a dose gap of more than eight weeks. The researchers say those vaccinated with a longer dose gap had a stronger antibody response and a similar T cell response. They say this could have implications for countries yet to vaccinate much of their population that may consider increasing the gap between doses.

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Journal/
conference: Nature Immunology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University Health Network, Canada

Funder: This work was supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada through the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force and Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group (D.K., A.H., V.G.H. and V.H.F.). V.G.H. has received research support funding from Avant Mutual, the Canadian Society of Transplantation and Ajmera Transplant Centre at University Health Network.

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