COVID-19 Vaccine 'Booster Shot' Enhances Immunogenicity and Is Effective Against Variants

Medical staff are preparing vaccines at the Dongjak-gu Citizens' Sports Center, where the COVID-19 vaccination center in Dongjak-gu, Seoul is set up.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] A study has been published showing that a 'booster shot,' which adds one more dose to the recommended two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, not only enhances immunity but is also effective against COVID-19 variants.

The Korea Institute of Health and Medical Research and the Korean Medical Association announced on the 10th the follow-up results of their joint study titled 'Rapid Review on COVID-19 Vaccine Issues.' Previously, the two organizations released research results in July on the effects of heterologous vaccination and prevention of variant viruses by the COVID-19 vaccine. This announcement reviews additionally published literature and confirms the preventive effects and safety of the additional dose.

According to the study, the booster shot, which involves a total of three vaccine doses, showed favorable immunogenicity results, indicating that its preventive effect is at least similar to or possibly better than that of two doses. In the general population, receiving three doses of the vaccine increased antibody titers against the COVID-19 virus compared to two doses, thereby enhancing immunogenicity. Meanwhile, tolerability was good, and no serious adverse reactions were observed.

Immunogenicity refers to a vaccine's ability to induce antibodies, cell-mediated immunity, or immunological memory. It is typically evaluated by measuring antibody or T-cell response levels. Tolerability refers to the degree to which side effects or discomfort following drug administration can be endured.

In patients with underlying conditions such as those undergoing hemodialysis or organ transplant recipients, antibody titers against the COVID-19 virus also increased. However, among patients with malignant lymphoma, those not undergoing chemotherapy maintained or increased antibody levels, whereas those undergoing chemotherapy did not produce antibodies after either two or three doses.

It was also confirmed that receiving a booster shot increases immunity against variant viruses. According to the research, in healthy individuals aged 18 to 55, neutralizing antibody titers against the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants significantly increased after the additional booster dose.

Choi Mi-young, head of clinical evidence research at the Korea Institute of Health and Medical Research, stated, “This study is an updated version of the research from July, but there are still only immunogenicity study results regarding additional and heterologous vaccinations, which limits the analysis. We plan to continuously publish research results reflecting the latest newly reported literature.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.