Durability of mRNA-1273 vaccine–induced antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Pegu Amarendra , O’Connell Sarah E. , Schmidt Stephen D. , O’Dell Sijy , Talana Chloe A. , Lai Lilin , Albert Jim , Anderson Evan , Bennett Hamilton , Corbett Kizzmekia S. , Flach Britta , Jackson Lisa , Leav Brett , Ledgerwood Julie E. , Luke Catherine J. , Makowski Mat , Nason Martha C. , Roberts Paul C. , Roederer Mario , Rebolledo Paulina A. , Rostad Christina A. , Rouphael Nadine G. , Shi Wei , Wang Lingshu , Widge Alicia T. , Yang Eun Sung ,   The mRNA-1273 Study Group§, Beigel John H. , Graham Barney S. , Mascola John R. , Suthar Mehul S. , McDermott Adrian B. , Doria-Rose Nicole A. , Arega Jae , Beigel John H. , Buchanan Wendy , Elsafy Mohammed , Hoang Binh , Lampley Rebecca , Kolhekar Aparna , Koo Hyung , Luke Catherine , Makhene Mamodikoe , Nayak Seema , Pikaart-Tautges Rhonda , Roberts Paul C. , Russell Janie , Sindall Elisa , Albert Jim , Kunwar Pratap , Makowski Mat , Anderson Evan J. , Bechnak Amer , Bower Mary , Camacho-Gonzalez Andres F. , Collins Matthew , Drobeniuc Ana , Edara Venkata Viswanadh , Edupuganti Srilatha , Floyd Katharine , Gibson Theda , Ackerley Cassie M. Grimsley , Johnson Brandi , Kamidani Satoshi , Kao Carol , Kelley Colleen , Lai Lilin , Macenczak Hollie , McCullough Michele Paine , Peters Etza , Phadke Varun K. , Rebolledo Paulina A. , Rostad Christina A. , Rouphael Nadine , Scherer Erin , Sherman Amy , Stephens Kathy , Suthar Mehul S. , Teherani Mehgan , Traenkner Jessica , Winston Juton , Yildirim Inci , Barr Lee , Benoit Joyce , Carste Barbara , Choe Joe , Dunstan Maya , Erolin Roxanne , ffitch Jana , Fields Colin , Jackson Lisa A. , Kiniry Erika , Lasicka Susan , Lee Stella , Nguyen Matthew , Pimienta Stephanie , Suyehira Janice , Witte Michael , Bennett Hamilton , Altaras Nedim Emil , Carfi Andrea , Hurley Marjorie , Leav Brett , Pajon Rolando , Sun Wellington , Zaks Tal , Coler Rhea N. , Larsen Sasha E. , Neuzil Kathleen M. , Lindesmith Lisa C. , Martinez David R. , Munt Jennifer , Mallory Michael , Edwards Caitlin , Baric Ralph S. , Berkowitz Nina M. , Boritz Eli A. , Carlton Kevin , Corbett Kizzmekia S. , Costner Pamela , Creanga Adrian , Doria-Rose Nicole A. , Douek Daniel C. , Flach Britta , Gaudinski Martin , Gordon Ingelise , Graham Barney S. , Holman LaSonji , Ledgerwood Julie E. , Leung Kwanyee , Lin Bob C. , Louder Mark K. , Mascola John R. , McDermott Adrian B. , Morabito Kaitlyn M. , Novik Laura , O’Connell Sarah , O’Dell Sijy , Padilla Marcelino , Pegu Amarendra , Schmidt Stephen D. , Shi Wei , Swanson Phillip A. , Talana Chloe A. , Wang Lingshu , Widge Alicia T. , Yang Eun Sung , Zhang Yi , Chappell James D. , Denison Mark R. , Hughes Tia , Lu Xiaotao , Pruijssers Andrea J. , Stevens Laura J. , Posavad Christine M. , Gale Michael , Menachery Vineet , Shi Pei-Yong 
Published: August 2021

A boost for boosters

The evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern poses a potential obstacle to achieving vaccine-induced immunity. Pegu
et al
. examined how viral variants, including the B.1.351 (Beta) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, affected the immune response in a small number of individuals who received the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine. By analyzing sera obtained 6 months after the second shot in the primary vaccine series, the researchers found that neutralizing antibody titers persisted against all variants tested. However, neutralizing antibodies against the B1.351 variant had dropped considerably by 6 months, and some individuals had weak, and in some cases no, neutralizing activity. These data may help to guide public health policies regarding additional booster vaccinations. —PNK