mRNA vaccine induces persistent immune memory against SARS-CoV-2 and mutant strains of concern

DOI: 10.1126/science.abm0829

Description

Because the persistence of immune memory after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination remains unclear, this study longitudinally profiled vaccine responses in SARS-CoV-2 naïve, recovered individuals for 6 months after vaccination.

The results showed that antibodies declined from peak levels, but remained detectable in most subjects at six months.

The researchers found that the mRNA vaccine produced functional memory B cells that increased from 3-6 months after vaccination, and that the majority of these cells cross-bound to alpha, beta, and delta variants.

They explain that mRNA vaccination induces antigen-specific CD4 ,+CD8 + T cells and that the early CD4 + T cell response correlates with long-term humoral immunity.

He explains that the response to vaccination in individuals with pre-existing immunity was primarily an increase in antibody levels without substantially altering the rate of antibody decay.