Antibodies increase by 6 to 20 times after the second dose of Pfizer – Sheba

People receiving their second dose of Pfizer vaccine had a six- to 12-fold increase in the amount of antibodies produced to defend against the new coronavirus, the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer reported Monday. The results of preliminary research are based on 102 cases of medical staff being vaccinated in the hospital. They had more antibodies than people who were severely infected with the virus and recovered. “The results of the survey are in line with Pfizer’s experiment and even better than expected,” said prof. Gili Regev-Yochay, director of Sheba’s infectious disease unit for infectious diseases, said in an information session on Monday. “I expect the results of the other employees who participate to be similar. There is certainly reason for optimism. “The result of the data is that Israel should see a decrease in the outbreak of the coronavirus across the country as more people receive their second doses,” she said. Two people did not develop antibodies, including one that was immuno-compromised, Regev-Yochay said. There was no explanation as to why the second person did not develop antibodies, and the hospital is investigating the matter, she said. At the last count, 7,106 Sheba employees were vaccinated with the first dose, or about 80% of the staff. Of these, 4,484 received their second dose as of Monday. Regev-Yochay said the study involved only 102 cases, but that the study looked specifically at immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that determine whether a patient has developed immunity. The study does not indicate how long the immunity will last and whether someone with antibodies can still carry the virus and infect others, Regev-Yochay said. However, she said it seems to her that people who have been vaccinated will not shed the virus, which means they will not transmit it to others.

Although people who have been ill and recovered are not yet eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine in Israel, it is possible that it will be vaccinated in a second phase, at least with the enhancer, if further research shows that the vaccine provides enhanced immunity. Regev-Yochay said.