Shortcomings Of Not Receiving Second Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine

Disha Jain Sep 01, 2021

A new study had been conducted which highlighted that antibodies response in an individual after receiving the first dose, decreases by 20 per cent. It also highlighted that the current immunization is how much effective for emerging variants.

The third wave of COVID-19 is spreading its legs in the coming few months. According to health officials, awareness had been generated for the COVID-19 vaccination. But most of us are not aware that what will be the consequences of not taking a second dose of COVID-19 immunization. The study conducted had been published in the journal called, ‘Scientific Report’.

So, let's understand what this whole study is all about in a detailed manner.

Purpose of the study

The study had been conducted by the Northern Western University to analyze the importance of receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is mandatory to guard yourself against this Coronavirus. We all are familiar that receiving any vaccine boosts your immunity levels by increasing the number of antibodies in your body.

This study is also conducted as the risk of a new variant known as the Delta variant is spreading and growing at a faster rate these days. According to this study, only one-time exposure to SARS-CoV2 does not guarantee strong antibodies in an individual.

Pharmacologist Alexius Demobranian, Biological Anthropologist Thomas McDade were involved in a team of scientists to examine the shortcomings of the first dose of vaccine. They tested the blood samples from adults that were reported as COVID-19-positive patients so that they could measure the tenure of antibodies, level of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine and how long would they be able to protect them from the new Delta variant.

Procedure

The participants selected for the study were from an ethnic and racially diverse community group of the Chicago area in starting of the pandemic situation. Then, the participants themselves had submitted their blood samples two to three weeks after the first and second dose of vaccine using at-home antibody testing kits. Also, they submitted samples after two months of taking a second dose of the vaccine.

Then, the researcher's team in the lab tested for neutralizing antibodies by measuring the interaction between the virus’ spike protein and the ACE2 receptor. This is how a virus enters a body and causes infection.

Results

According to researchers, it had been found that the level of inhibition in blood samples of participants who submitted samples about three weeks after the second dose was 98 per cent, indicating the high percentage of antibodies in them. The variants B.1.1352 of South Africa, B.1.1.7 of UK, and P.1 of Brazil founded lower level of inhibition. It ranges from 67 per cent to 92 per cent.

The samples collected after two months of the second dose found 20 percent of antibodies in them. Persons with confirmed COVID-19 cases and multiple symptoms showed better response than that of positive.

Mc Dade, professor of Anthropology in Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, stated, “With the fact that immunity wanes over time, you get more vulnerable to breakthrough infection. Therefore, we have two strikes right now – delta plus variant which warns for immunity among the first wave of vaccinated people.”

He also added, “The story is the same for all the variants, including delta. The vaccination is good protection against them, but it will not be as favorable as the original version of the virus for which the vaccine has been designed.”