SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a nursing home after vaccination with BNT162b2: A role for the quantification of circulating antibodies

Vaccine. 2022 Apr 20;40(18):2531-2534. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.03.026. Epub 2022 Mar 15.

Abstract

We describe an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.351) in a nursing home. At the outbreak onset 96% of residents and 76% of HCW had received two doses of BNT162b2. Twenty-eight residents (28/53) and six HCW (6/33) were infected. Infected residents had lower levels of anti-S antibodies compared to those who were not infected (157 vs 552 U/mL). Among 50 residents with available serological status, nineteen (19/25) with serum concentration < 300 U/mL and seven (7/25) with concentration > 300 U/mL acquired SARS-CoV-2 (RR 2.7 [95 %CI 1.4-5.3]). The quantification of circulating antibodies could be useful in detecting people with an impaired immune response who are at high risk of acquiring and spreading SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: B.1.351; COVID-19; Outbreak; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • BNT162 Vaccine
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Nursing Homes
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • BNT162 Vaccine

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants