Fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines boost antibodies in the over 60s

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-07-22 01:00

International

A fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine in adults over 60 boosts COVID antibodies approximately 2 weeks after the vaccination with no major adverse events, according to data out of Israel. The small study looked at antibody levels in people before and after their third and fourth doses of the Pfizer vaccine. They found that antibody levels increased significantly after the third dose, they then drop off by the 5-month mark and are restored to the peak levels by a fourth dose.

Media release

From: JAMA

Antibody Titers After Third, Fourth Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Dose in Older Adults

JAMA Network Open
Research Letter

Antibody Titers After a Third and Fourth SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 Vaccine Dose in Older Adults

About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is the new online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.

About The Study: This study evaluated the response to a third and fourth Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine dose among individuals age 60 or older in Israel by evaluating antispike immunoglobulin G antibody titers before and after each dose. This population is at high risk of developing severe SARS-CoV-2 disease and was the first to receive authorization for a third and fourth vaccine dose.

Authors: Noa Eliakim-Raz, M.D., of Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel, is the corresponding author.

(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.23090)

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Research JAMA, Web page Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

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conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Beilinson Hospital, Isreal

Funder: Dr S. M. Stemmer reported receiving research grants (to the institution) from CAN-FITE, AstraZeneca, Bioline RX, Bristol Myers Squibb, Halozyme, Clovis Oncology, CTG Pharma, Exelixis, Geicam, Incyte, Lilly, Moderna, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Roche and owning stocks and options in CTG Pharma, DocBoxMD, Tyrnovo, VYPE, Cytora, and CAN-FITE. No other disclosures were reported

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