Effect of the third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine on quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers in healthcare personnel

BACKGROUND: Vaccination is our main strategy to control SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given the decrease in quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers three months after the second BNT162b2 dose, healthcare workers received a third booster six months after completing the original protocol. This study aimed to analyze the quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers and the safety of the third dose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective longitudinal cohort study included healthcare workers who received a third booster six months after completing the BNT162b2 regimen. We assessed the quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers 21–28 days after the first and second dose, three months after the completed protocol, 1–7 days following the third dose, and 21–28 days after booster administration. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 168 participants aged 41(10) years old, 67% of whom were female. The third dose was associated with an increase in quantitative antibody titers, regardless of previous SARS-CoV-2 history. In cases with a negative SARS-CoV-2 history, the median (IQR) antibody titer values increased from 379 (645.4) to 2960 (2010) AU/ml, whereas in cases with a positive SARS-CoV-2 history, from 590 (1262) to 3090 (2080) AU/ml (p<0.001). The third dose caused a lower number of total (local and systemic) adverse events following immunization (AEFI) compared with the first two vaccines. However, in terms of specific symptoms such as fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, fever, and adenopathy, the proportion was higher in comparison with the first and second doses (p<0.05). The most common AEFI after the third BNT162b2 vaccine was pain at the injection site (n = 82, 84.5%), followed by fatigue (n = 45, 46.4%) of mild severity (n = 36, 37.1%). CONCLUSION: The third dose applied six months after the original BNT162b2 regimen increased the quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike 1–2 IgG antibody titers. The booster dose was well tolerated and caused no severe AEFI.