June 9, 2021

Delayed Antibody and T-Cell Response to BNT162b2 Vaccination in the Elderly, Germany

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Vaccines and Immunity

Keywords (Tags): antibodies, breakthrough infection, vaccines

• In a cohort of elderly residents of an assisted living facility in Germany (n=71, median age 81 years) vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine only 46% (24 of 52) developed neutralizing antibodies 3 weeks after the first dose and 90% (63 of 70) 4 weeks after the second dose. In contrast, 91% (97 of 107) of vaccinated healthcare workers (n=123, median age 34 years) had neutralizing antibody 3 weeks after the first dose. Similarly, IgG responses against SARS-CoV-2 antigens and spike-specific T-cell responses were both delayed and reduced in the older cohort throughout the study.

Schwarz et al. (June 8, 2021). Delayed Antibody and T-Cell Response to BNT162b2 Vaccination in the Elderly, Germany. Emerging Infectious Diseases. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/8/21-1145_article