Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Research Articles

Effect of The Pfizer-Biontech Vaccine on Ifn-Γ Serum Levels and its Genetic Variations in Response to Vaccination

Background: Pfizer vaccine, which is a nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the first mRNA products to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to study the impact of Pfizer vaccine on the levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) serum levels and its gene polymorphism after 3 months and 6 months of vaccination with Pfizer vaccine . Materials and methods: This case-control study involved (150) subjects who were divided into three groups (each group included 50 subjects). The first group included (50) vaccinated group 3 months after second dose of Pfizer vaccine, and the second group included (50) vaccinated group 6 month after second dose of Pfizer vaccine. The third group was the control group which included (50) healthy unvaccinated subjects. The study was done during the period from May /2022 to September / 2022). Serum levels of IFN-γ were estimated by ELISA technique. The PCR technique was used to study gene polymorphism for IFN-γ. Results: The results in figure (1) showed that the mean levels of INF-γ among the male participants (after 3 months of vaccination, after 6 months of vaccinations, and the control group) were (292.54, 231.48, and 15.71), respectively, with highly significant differences (HS) between the three groups (p<0.01). The results also showed that the mean levels of INF-γ among female participants (after 3 months of vaccination, after 6 months of vaccinations, and the control group) were (317.31, 228.14, and 15.74), respectively, with highly significant differences (HS) between the three groups (p<0.01). Analysis of rs2430561 SNP of (IFN-γ) gene using Sanger sequencing. Single “T” peak indicative of a T homozygous allele showed that Single “A” peak indicative of a A homozygous allele. Presence of the “T” and “A” peak indicative of T/A heterozygous allele. Conclusion: Pfizer vaccine was shown to have significant impacts on IFN-γ levels and presence of single T/A alleles is indicative of heterogeneous T/A allele on analysis of rs2430561 SNP of (IFN-γ) gene among vaccinated individuals.

The potential clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of the updated COVID-19 mRNA Autumn 2024 vaccines in the United Kingdom

Aims To estimate the potential clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of a United Kingdom (UK) Autumn 2024 vaccination campaign with an updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in adults ≥65 years and eligible persons 6 months to 64 years of age over a 1-year time horizon (September 2024–August 2025). Materials and methods A compartmental Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered model was adapted to reflect COVID-19 cases in the UK. Numbers of symptomatic infections, COVID-19–related hospitalizations and deaths, costs, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were predicted using a decision tree. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of an updated Moderna mRNA vaccine (Moderna Autumn 2024 Campaign) was compared to No Autumn 2024 vaccine and to an updated Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA Autumn 2024 vaccine, from a healthcare perspective. Results The Moderna Autumn 2024 Vaccination Campaign is predicted to decrease the expected 8.3 million symptomatic infections with no vaccination by 19% to 6.7 million. Hospitalizations, long COVID cases, and deaths are expected to decline by 27,000 (−38%), 59,000 (−19%), and 6,000 (−43%), respectively. The Moderna Autumn 2024 Campaign will increase QALYs by 78,000 and costs by £665 million, yielding an ICER of £8,500/QALY gained. Sensitivity analyses suggest that vaccine effectiveness (VE) and waning, symptomatic infection incidence, hospitalization rates, and mortality rates drive cost-effectiveness. Vaccination remains cost-effective when lowering the target population to ≥50 years. Use of the Moderna vaccine is expected to prevent 8,000 more hospitalizations and 1,700 more deaths than the updated Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Conclusions Vaccination of the eligible population would contribute to significant reductions in hospitalizations, deaths, and long COVID in the UK in the 2024–2025 season. Expanding the target population continues to be cost-effective. Use of the Moderna Autumn 2024 Campaign is predicted to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infections and associated outcomes in a cost-effective manner and will contribute to a more resilient healthcare system in the UK.

On Some Modeling Issues in Estimating Vaccine Efficacy.

I would like to reconsider a recent analysis by Prof. Senn on the statistics of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine trial, to express some different opinions and to clarify some theoretical points, especially regarding the clinical applications of Bayesian statistics.

Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) Vaccine Effectiveness against Symptomatic Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 Infection among Outpatients in Sentinel Sites, Lebanon, July-December 2021.

On 14 February 2021, Lebanon implemented nationwide vaccination, offering the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine to adults over 50 years of age. We estimated the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in preventing symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. We conducted a test-negative case-control (TND) study among symptomatic adults aged 50 years and older who presented with influenza-like illness (ILI) or COVID-19-like illness (CLI) in surveillance sentinel sites between 1 July and 31 December 2021. Unvaccinated participants did not receive any vaccine dose before symptom onset. Vaccinated participants received at least one dose within 14 days before onset of symptoms. We estimated vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, adjusted for demographic and behavioral factors, using multivariable logistic regression. Out of 457 participants with symptoms, 150 (33%) were positive and 307 (67%) were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Adjusted vaccine effectiveness was 22% (95% CI: -70-65%) for those partially vaccinated and 44% (95% CI: 6-67%) for those fully vaccinated. Vaccination with two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was effective in preventing COVID-19 symptomatic illness in the older population. Vaccine effectiveness was lower for those partially vaccinated. We recommend enhancing vaccine uptake with at least one dose among risk groups for COVID-19 and keeping general recommendations on contact and droplet precautions in the general population.

Exploring the adverse events of Oxford–AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccination on Guillain–Barré Syndrome

The vaccination against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important public health strategy to prevent people from the pandemic. Vaccines are a game-changing tool, it is essential to understand the adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination. This study explored the adverse events of COVID-19 Vaccination Oxford–AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson on Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS). In this study, initially 128 documents were identified from the databases, including Pub-Med, Web of Science-Clarivate Analytics, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The articles on COVID-19 vaccination and GBs were searched using the keywords “SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Vaccination, and Guillain Barré Syndrome, GBS”, finally, 16 documents were included in the analysis and synthesis. After administering 1,680,042,214 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, 6177 cases were identified with 10.5 cases per million vaccine doses. A significant positive risk was found between COVID-19 vaccine administration and GBS with a risk rate of RR 1.97 (95% CI 1.26–3.08, p = 0.01). The mRNA vaccines were associated with 2076 cases, and 1,237,638,401 vaccine doses were linked with 4.47 GBS events per million vaccine doses. The first dose of the m-RNA vaccine was associated with 8.83 events per million doses compared to the second dose with 02 events per million doses. The viral-vector vaccine doses 193,535,249 were linked to 1630 GBS cases with 11.01 cases per million doses. The incidence of GBS after the first dose was 17.43 compared to 1.47 cases per million in the second dose of the viral-vector vaccine. The adverse events of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine were linked to 1339 cases of GBS following 167,786,902 vaccine doses, with 14.2 cases per million doses. The Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine significantly increased the risk of GBS RR: 2.96 (95% CI 2.51–3.48, p = 0.01). For the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, there were 7.20 cases per million doses of the vaccine, and no significant association was identified between the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and GBS incidence RR: 0.99 (95% CI 0.75–1.32, p = 0.96). Moderna vaccine was related with 419 cases of GBS after administering 420,420,909 doses, with 2.26 cases per million doses. However, Johnson and Johnson's vaccination was linked to 235 GBS after 60,256,913 doses of the vaccine with 8.80 cases per million doses. A significant association was seen between the risk of GBS and Ad.26.COV2. S vaccine, RR: 2.47 (95% CI 1.30–4.69, p < 0.01). Overall, a significant association was seen between the COVID-19 vaccines and the risk of GBS. The incidence of GBS was higher after the first dose compared to GBS cases per million in the second dose.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccination responses in individuals with sickle cell disease: an ASH RC Sickle Cell Research Network Study

AbstractChildren and adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) have increases in morbidity and mortality with COVID-19 infections. The American Society of Hematology Research Collaborative Sickle Cell Disease Research Network performed a prospective COVID-19 vaccine study to assess antibody responses and analyze whether messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination precipitated any adverse effects unique to individuals with SCD. Forty-one participants received 2 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and provided baseline blood samples before vaccination and 2 months after the initial vaccination for analysis of immunoglobulin G (IgG) reactivity against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein. Six-month IgG reactivity against the viral RBD was also available in 37 patients. Postvaccination reactogenicity was common and similar to the general population. There were no fevers that required inpatient admission. Vaso-occlusive pain within 2 to 3 days of first or second vaccination was reported by 5 participants (12%) including 4 (10%) who sought medical care. Twenty-seven participants (66%) were seropositive at baseline, and all 14 initially seronegative participants (34%) converted to seropositive after vaccination. Overall, mRNA vaccination had a good risk-benefit profile in individuals with SCD. This mRNA vaccine study also marks the first evaluation of vaccine safety and antibody response in very young children with SCD. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT05139992.

Humoral and Innate Immunological Profile of Paediatric Recipients of Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was one of the essential tools in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike conventional vaccines, this newly approved mRNA vaccine is taken up by cells, which leads to the synthesis of the specific viral Spike antigen. The vaccine was initially introduced for adults, and the immunological profile of adult recipients is well-characterized. The vaccine was approved for paediatric use much later after its efficacy and safety had been confirmed in children. However, the complete picture of how the paediatric immune system in children reacts to the vaccine is not well documented. Therefore, in order to better understand the immune response in children, we analysed the humoral response, immune cell count, and interferon signalling in paediatric vaccine recipients ranging between 5 and 17 years of age. Our findings suggest that the paediatric recipients elicit a robust humoral response that is sustained for at least three months. We also found that the vaccine triggered a transient lymphocytopenia similar to that observed during viral infection. Interestingly, we also found that the vaccine may sensitise the interferon signalling pathway, priming the cells to mount a potent response when exposed to interferons during a subsequent infection. The study offers new insights into the workings of the paediatric immune system and innate immunity, thereby opening the doors for further research in this field.

Effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines as First Booster Doses in England: An Observational Study in OpenSAFELY-TPP.

The UK delivered its first "booster" COVID-19 vaccine doses in September 2021, initially to individuals at high risk of severe disease, then to all adults. The BNT162b2 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was used initially, then also Moderna mRNA-1273. With the approval of the National Health Service England, we used routine clinical data to estimate the effectiveness of boosting with BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 compared with no boosting in eligible adults who had received two primary course vaccine doses. We matched each booster recipient with an unboosted control on factors relating to booster priority status and prior COVID-19 immunization. We adjusted for additional factors in Cox models, estimating hazard ratios up to 182 days (6 months) following booster dose. We estimated hazard ratios overall and within the following periods: 1-14, 15-42, 43-69, 70-97, 98-126, 127-152, and 155-182 days. Outcomes included a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, COVID-19 hospitalization, COVID-19 death, non-COVID-19 death, and fracture. We matched 8,198,643 booster recipients with unboosted controls. Adjusted hazard ratios over 6-month follow-up were: positive SARS-CoV-2 test 0.75 (0.74, 0.75); COVID-19 hospitalization 0.30 (0.29, 0.31); COVID-19 death 0.11 (0.10, 0.14); non-COVID-19 death 0.22 (0.21, 0.23); and fracture 0.77 (0.75, 0.78). Estimated effectiveness of booster vaccines against severe COVID-19-related outcomes peaked during the first 3 months following the booster dose. By 6 months, the cumulative incidence of positive SARS-CoV-2 test was higher in boosted than unboosted individuals. We estimate that COVID-19 booster vaccination, compared with no booster vaccination, provided substantial protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and COVID-19 death but only limited protection against positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Lower rates of fracture in boosted than unboosted individuals may suggest unmeasured confounding. Observational studies should report estimated vaccine effectiveness against nontarget and negative control outcomes.

Adverse Effects Post COVID-19 Vaccination and its Association with Age, Gender and Comorbid Disease in Basrah City Southern of Iraq.

Vaccination against COVID-19 virus is the most valuable tool available for protection during the pandemic of coronavirus. The clinical manifestation post-vaccination is a barrier to vaccination for many people in Iraq and worldwide. The objective of this study is identifying various clinical manifestations occurring after receiving vaccines among individuals in Basrah Governorate. Moreover, we examine its association with respondents' demographics and the type of vaccine they received. A cross-section study was conducted in Basrah, southern Iraq. Research data were collected through an online questionnaire. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and analytic statistical tools using the SPSS program. Most of the participants (86.68%) received the vaccine. The side effects were reported in 71.61% of vaccinated individuals. Fever and muscle pain were the two most experienced clinical manifestations, while lymph node enlargement and disturbances in taste and/or smell sensations were reported infrequently. Adverse effects were mostly reported with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine receiver. Females and those in the younger age group also reported a significantly higher incidence of side effects. Most adverse effects related to the COVID-19 vaccine were minor and could be tolerated without the need for hospital admission.

The Potential Economic Impact of the Updated COVID-19 mRNA Fall 2023 Vaccines in Japan.

This analysis estimates the economic and clinical impact of a Moderna updated COVID-19 mRNA Fall 2023 vaccine for adults ≥18 years in Japan. A previously developed Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) model with a one-year analytic time horizon (September 2023-August 2024) and consequences decision tree were used to estimate symptomatic infections, COVID-19 related hospitalizations, deaths, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for a Moderna updated Fall 2023 vaccine versus no additional vaccination, and versus a Pfizer-BioNTech updated mRNA Fall 2023 vaccine. The Moderna vaccine is predicted to prevent 7.2 million symptomatic infections, 272,100 hospitalizations and 25,600 COVID-19 related deaths versus no vaccine. In the base case (healthcare perspective), the ICER was ¥1,300,000/QALY gained ($9400 USD/QALY gained). Sensitivity analyses suggest results are most affected by COVID-19 incidence, initial vaccine effectiveness (VE), and VE waning against infection. Assuming the relative VE between both bivalent vaccines apply to updated Fall 2023 vaccines, the base case suggests the Moderna version will prevent an additional 1,100,000 symptomatic infections, 27,100 hospitalizations, and 2600 deaths compared to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The updated Moderna vaccine is expected to be highly cost-effective at a ¥5 million willingness-to-pay threshold across a wide range of scenarios.

Human leukocyte antigen variants associate with BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine response

BackgroundSince the beginning of the anti-COVID-19 vaccination campaign, it has become evident that vaccinated subjects exhibit considerable inter-individual variability in the response to the vaccine that could be partly explained by host genetic factors. A recent study reported that the immune response elicited by the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in individuals from the United Kingdom was influenced by a specific allele of the human leukocyte antigen gene HLA-DQB1.MethodsWe carried out a genome-wide association study to investigate the genetic determinants of the antibody response to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in an Italian cohort of 1351 subjects recruited in three centers. Linear regressions between normalized antibody levels and genotypes of more than 7 million variants was performed, using sex, age, centers, days between vaccination boost and serological test, and five principal components as covariates. We also analyzed the association between normalized antibody levels and 204 HLA alleles, with the same covariates as above.ResultsOur study confirms the involvement of the HLA locus and shows significant associations with variants in HLA-A, HLA-DQA1, and HLA-DQB1 genes. In particular, the HLA-A*03:01 allele is the most significantly associated with serum levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Other alleles, from both major histocompatibility complex class I and II are significantly associated with antibody levels.ConclusionsThese results support the hypothesis that HLA genes modulate the response to Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and highlight the need for genetic studies in diverse populations and for functional studies aimed to elucidate the relationship between HLA-A*03:01 and CD8+ cell response upon Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination.

Association of National Identity and Trust in Government with COVID-19 Vaccination and Brand Choice in Taiwan.

In Taiwan, hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccination centered more on the choice of vaccine brand than on the decision to vaccinate. However, there is limited research exploring the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine brand preferences from a sociopolitical perspective. Thus, we aimed to examine how Taiwanese national identity and trust in government influence vaccination status and vaccine brand choice, using longitudinal data from 2020, 2021, and 2023. This study utilized data from the Taiwan Panel Study of Family Dynamics 2020 survey, and combined it with data from two self-administered surveys conducted in 2021 and 2023. We focused on four vaccines commonly administered in Taiwan: AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and the domestically-developed Medigen. Using Poisson regression models with robust standard errors, we assessed the effects of national identity and trust in government on the choice of COVID-19 vaccine brand. By analyzing data from 2361 participants, we found that national identity and trust in government were associated with the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination, the number of vaccine doses received, and the brand of vaccine taken. Those who identified themselves as Taiwanese were more inclined to receive the Medigen and AstraZeneca vaccines, but less willing to receive Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Those who trusted the government were more likely to prefer and receive the Medigen vaccine. Conversely, those who didn't trust the government were less likely to prefer Medigen and AstraZeneca vaccines, but were willing to receive Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Vaccine brand preferences and uptake in Taiwan were affected by individuals' national identity and their trust in government. This highlights the critical role of sociopolitical factors in shaping public health strategies.

Incidence and factors associated with early and late adverse reactions after the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine among healthcare workers

Incidence and factors associated with early and late adverse reactions after the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine among healthcare workers

Elevated Serum Levels of SARS-CoV-2 Anti-Spike S1 RBD IgM, IgG, and IgA in Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccinated, COVID-19 Infected, and COVID-19 Infected after Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccinated Individuals after One Month

Background: While protective immunity against some viruses, such as coronaviruses, is relatively short-lived, healing from acute infections of many different viruses, such as those caused by yellow fever, polio, measles, and smallpox, can give cell-mediated and humoral immunity for a lifetime. The main element in the long-term prevention of reinfection by most viruses might be due to the specific antibodies generated by plasma cells. Aim: This study aims to estimate the levels of SARS-CoV-2 Anti-Spike S1 RBD IgM, IgA, and IgG in serum among people in Baghdad after one month of receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus after vaccination and COVID-19 infected patients respectively. Methods: A total of 120 volunteers were enrolled in this study, which was conducted between the 1st of November 2022 and the 13th of January 2023, and they were divided into four groups, each group containing 30 individuals. The study groups were categorized after one month into vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2), infected with SARS-CoV-2 after Pfizer vaccination, COVID-19 patients, and control. Results: The study presented a significant difference where (P value &lt; 0.05) in the serum levels of Anti-Spike S1 RBD IgM, IgA, and IgG for all groups compared to the control. Serum levels of S1 RBD IgM Anti-Spike of SARS-CoV-2 in all groups were significantly increased (P value &gt;0.05) compared to each other. For Anti-Spike S1 RBD IgA and IgG, there was no significant difference (P value &gt;0.05) between the COVID-19-infected patients group and those infected by SARS-CoV-2 after the Pfizer vaccination group. Positive correlations were found among Anti-Spike S1 RBD IgM, IgA, and IgG levels in the serum. Conclusions: Natural infection by SARS-CoV-2 or vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) provides significant humoral Immunological protection.

The Impact of the Emotional Disposition of Healthcare Workers on the Expression of Adverse Events after Primary Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.

Background and Objectives: Vaccination is one means of SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control. However, despite the effectiveness of vaccination, adverse reactions continue to require vigilance and monitoring. The researchers emphasize the possibility that some of the reported side effects may be psychological in origin. Based on this hypothesis, the main goal of this study was to evaluate the emotional dispositions of healthcare workers who experienced emotions before vaccination and adverse reactions after vaccination. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted between February and May 2021 in the Kaunas Clinics of the University of Health Sciences. A total of 2117 employees of the clinic departments who were vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine participated in this study. Statistical analysis was performed on the data using IBM SPSS Statistics®. Results: Most participants (74.5%) experienced systemic (including local) adverse events; 16.5% experienced only local adverse events, and 9.1% experienced no adverse events. The frequency of systemic (including local) adverse events reduced with increasing age (p < 0.05). The main emotions that participants experienced before vaccination were anxiety (37.88%) and happiness (39.02%). Systemic (including local) adverse events occurred 1.26 times more frequently in women than men (77.44% vs. 61.6%, p < 0.05), while local adverse events occurred 1.4 times more often in male participants than in female participants (21.39% vs. 15.27%, p < 0.05). Among the respondents who did not experience adverse events, the most common emotion felt was happiness (25.5%), and most of the participants who experienced systemic (including local) adverse events felt anxiety (42.6%). Conclusions: The information about vaccination and potential adverse events should be targeted at younger persons. It is recommended that women, more than men, should receive professional counseling from psychologists or psychotherapists. The public dissemination of positive messages about the benefits and safety of vaccines prior to a vaccination campaign may alleviate the tension or anxiety felt regarding potential adverse events. Healthcare specialists-both those who work directly with vaccines and those who do not-should maintain a positive psychological attitude towards vaccination, as this can increase patient satisfaction with the benefits of vaccines.

The Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG1 and IgG3 Antibody Isotypes with Limited Neutralizing Capacity against Omicron Elicited in a Latin Population a Switch toward IgG4 after Multiple Doses with the mRNA Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine.

The aim of this study was to analyze the profiles of IgG subclasses in COVID-19 convalescent Puerto Rican subjects and compare these profiles with those of non-infected immunocompetent or immunocompromised subjects that received two or more doses of an mRNA vaccine. The most notable findings from this study are as follows: (1) Convalescent subjects that were not hospitalized developed high and long-lasting antibody responses. (2) Both IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses were more prevalent in the SARS-CoV-2-infected population, whereas IgG1 was more prevalent after vaccination. (3) Individuals that were infected and then later received two doses of an mRNA vaccine exhibited a more robust neutralizing capacity against Omicron than those that were never infected and received two doses of an mRNA vaccine. (4) A class switch toward the "anti-inflammatory" antibody isotype IgG4 was induced a few weeks after the third dose, which peaked abruptly and remained at high levels for a long period. Moreover, the high levels of IgG4 were concurrent with high neutralizing percentages against various VOCs including Omicron. (5) Subjects with IBD also produced IgG4 antibodies after the third dose, although these antibody levels had a limited effect on the neutralizing capacity. Knowing that the mRNA vaccines do not prevent infections, the Omicron subvariants have been shown to be less pathogenic, and IgG4 levels have been associated with immunotolerance and numerous negative effects, the recommendations for the successive administration of booster vaccinations to people should be revised.

Differences in Responses of Immunosuppressed Kidney Transplant Patients to Moderna mRNA-1273 versus Pfizer-BioNTech.

Immunosuppressed kidney transplant (KT) recipients produce a weaker response to COVID-19 vaccination than immunocompetent individuals. We tested antiviral IgG response in 99 KT recipients and 66 healthy volunteers who were vaccinated with mRNA-1273 Moderna or BNT162b2 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. A subgroup of participants had their peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) evaluated for the frequency of T helper 1 (Th1) cells producing IL-2, IFN-γ and/or TNF-α, and IL-10-producing T-regulatory 1 (Tr) cells. Among KT recipients, 45.8% had anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG compared to 74.1% of healthy volunteers (p = 0.009); also, anti-viral IgG levels were lower in recipients than in volunteers (p = 0.001). In terms of non-responders (≤2000 U/mL IgG), Moderna's group had 10.8% and Pfizer-BioNTech's group had 34.3% of non-responders at 6 months (p = 0.023); similarly, 15.7% and 31.3% were non-responders in Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech groups at 12 months, respectively (p = 0.067). There were no non-responders among controls. Healthy volunteers had higher Th1 levels than KT recipients, while Moderna produced a higher Th1 response than Pfizer-BioNTech. In contrast, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine induced a higher Tr1 response than the Moderna vaccine (p < 0.05); overall, IgG levels correlated with Th1(fTTNF-α)/Tr1(fTIL-10) ratios. We propose that the higher number of non-responders in the Pfizer-BioNTech group than the Moderna group was caused by a more potent activity of regulatory Tr1 cells in KT recipients vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Serosurveillance among urban slum and non-slum populations immunized with COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladesh.

Using two rounds of serosurveillance, we aimed to observe the COVID-19 vaccination status and the dynamics of antibody responses to different vaccines among urban slum and non-slum populations of Bangladesh. Adults (>18years) and children (10-17years) were enrolled in March and October 2022. Data including COVID-19 vaccine types and dosage uptake were collected. SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-specific antibodies were measured in blood. The proportion of vaccinated children was significantly lower among slum than non-slum populations. Two doses of vaccines showed an increase in the level of anti-S-antibodies up to 2months, followed by reduced levels at 2-6months and a resurgence at 6-12months. Children showed significantly higher anti-S-antibodies after two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine than adults; however, after 6months, the level of antibodies declined in younger children (10- <12years). In a mixed vaccine approach, mRNA vaccines contributed to the highest antibody response whether given as the first two doses or as the third dose. Our findings emphasized the need for increasing the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination among slum children and booster dosing among all children. The use of mRNA vaccines in the mixed vaccination approach was found to be useful in boosting the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2.

Prevalence of lymphadenopathy after receiving COVID-19 vaccine among Saudi Arabia residents

Objective: This research aimed to screen the prevalence of lymphadenopathy following COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey among residents of Saudi Arabia who received the COVID-19 vaccine. The study was conducted from November, 2021 to August, 2022. Result: Total 500 participants&amp;apos; responses were evaluated. There were 360 (72%) women and 140 (28%) men. After receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, 71 participants (14.2%) reported having lymphadenopathy. Participants with lymphadenopathy were younger than those without lymphadenopathy (19-28 years), females (80.3%) but without a significant relationship. Lymphadenopathy showed more association with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Fifty-three participants (74.7%) reported lymphadenopathy on the same side of the vaccine injection and participants who received three doses of the vaccine had a significant higher percentage of having painful lymphadenopathy Conclusion: Lymphadenopathy is considered one of the most common side effects of vaccination after COVID-19.

Peripheral Facial Paralysis After COVID-19 BioNTech ® Vaccine

Bell's palsy, also known as acute peripheral facial nerve palsy of unknown cause, commonly manifests with sudden onset of unilateral facial paralysis. This case report describes two patients who has bell’s palsy after their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.