SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced Humoral Immunity in Immunocompetent European Adults: A Systematic Review

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, profoundly impacted global health systems and economies. Vaccination and diagnostic advancements were pivotal in managing the pandemic. This systematic review evaluates antibody levels in adults following complete COVID-19 vaccination and examines the pre...

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Main Authors: Izabella Bylica, Estera Jachowicz-Matczak, Justyna Brodowicz, Joanna Sułkowska, Monika Bociąga-Jasik, Piotr Heczko, Sebastian Gagatek, Jan Bylica, Jadwiga Wójkowska-Mach
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/3/535
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author Izabella Bylica
Estera Jachowicz-Matczak
Justyna Brodowicz
Joanna Sułkowska
Monika Bociąga-Jasik
Piotr Heczko
Sebastian Gagatek
Jan Bylica
Jadwiga Wójkowska-Mach
author_facet Izabella Bylica
Estera Jachowicz-Matczak
Justyna Brodowicz
Joanna Sułkowska
Monika Bociąga-Jasik
Piotr Heczko
Sebastian Gagatek
Jan Bylica
Jadwiga Wójkowska-Mach
author_sort Izabella Bylica
collection DOAJ
description The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, profoundly impacted global health systems and economies. Vaccination and diagnostic advancements were pivotal in managing the pandemic. This systematic review evaluates antibody levels in adults following complete COVID-19 vaccination and examines the prevalence of infections in vaccinated populations. A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted, focusing on studies analyzing antibody levels at least 14 days after full vaccination with FDA- or EMA-approved vaccines. Five European studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. Data were extracted and synthesized from studies involving 6280 participants aged 19 to 105, with an average of 11% having prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Antibody levels were analyzed over time, and the incidence of post-vaccination COVID-19 cases was recorded. The reviewed studies demonstrated that antibody levels peaked shortly after vaccination but gradually declined over time. Individuals with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibited higher antibody titers than those without prior exposure. After the first dose, the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine led to significantly higher antibody levels than the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, especially in those without prior infection. Across all studies, the incidence of COVID-19 among vaccinated individuals was low (0.1–3.8% for 144–302 days post-vaccination). Vaccination reduced severe outcomes despite decreasing antibody levels. The decline in new COVID-19 cases and related deaths is attributed to widespread vaccination, natural immunity, and virus mutations reducing severity. Further studies are warranted to explore antibody persistence and optimal vaccination strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-7757790ce1d040debc5bca3ab6b7a0c22025-08-20T02:42:27ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-02-0113353510.3390/microorganisms13030535SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced Humoral Immunity in Immunocompetent European Adults: A Systematic ReviewIzabella Bylica0Estera Jachowicz-Matczak1Justyna Brodowicz2Joanna Sułkowska3Monika Bociąga-Jasik4Piotr Heczko5Sebastian Gagatek6Jan Bylica7Jadwiga Wójkowska-Mach8Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, PolandDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, PolandDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawinska 8, 31-066 Krakow, PolandStudents’ Scientific Group of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, PolandDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, PolandDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, PolandDepartment of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, SwedenDoctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, PolandDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, PolandThe COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, profoundly impacted global health systems and economies. Vaccination and diagnostic advancements were pivotal in managing the pandemic. This systematic review evaluates antibody levels in adults following complete COVID-19 vaccination and examines the prevalence of infections in vaccinated populations. A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted, focusing on studies analyzing antibody levels at least 14 days after full vaccination with FDA- or EMA-approved vaccines. Five European studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. Data were extracted and synthesized from studies involving 6280 participants aged 19 to 105, with an average of 11% having prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Antibody levels were analyzed over time, and the incidence of post-vaccination COVID-19 cases was recorded. The reviewed studies demonstrated that antibody levels peaked shortly after vaccination but gradually declined over time. Individuals with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibited higher antibody titers than those without prior exposure. After the first dose, the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine led to significantly higher antibody levels than the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, especially in those without prior infection. Across all studies, the incidence of COVID-19 among vaccinated individuals was low (0.1–3.8% for 144–302 days post-vaccination). Vaccination reduced severe outcomes despite decreasing antibody levels. The decline in new COVID-19 cases and related deaths is attributed to widespread vaccination, natural immunity, and virus mutations reducing severity. Further studies are warranted to explore antibody persistence and optimal vaccination strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/3/535vaccinationCOVID-19mRNA vaccinesantibody levels
spellingShingle Izabella Bylica
Estera Jachowicz-Matczak
Justyna Brodowicz
Joanna Sułkowska
Monika Bociąga-Jasik
Piotr Heczko
Sebastian Gagatek
Jan Bylica
Jadwiga Wójkowska-Mach
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced Humoral Immunity in Immunocompetent European Adults: A Systematic Review
Microorganisms
vaccination
COVID-19
mRNA vaccines
antibody levels
title SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced Humoral Immunity in Immunocompetent European Adults: A Systematic Review
title_full SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced Humoral Immunity in Immunocompetent European Adults: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced Humoral Immunity in Immunocompetent European Adults: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced Humoral Immunity in Immunocompetent European Adults: A Systematic Review
title_short SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced Humoral Immunity in Immunocompetent European Adults: A Systematic Review
title_sort sars cov 2 vaccine induced humoral immunity in immunocompetent european adults a systematic review
topic vaccination
COVID-19
mRNA vaccines
antibody levels
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/3/535
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