Duration of MRNA Vaccine Protection Against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 Subvariants in Qatar

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2022 Jun 2

PMID 35654888

Authors

Hiam Chemaitelly

Houssein H Ayoub

Sawsan Almukdad

Peter Coyle

Patrick Tang

Hadi M Yassine

Hebah A Al-Khatib

Maria K Smatti

Mohammad R Hasan

Zaina Al-Kanaani

Einas Al-Kuwari

Andrew Jeremijenko

Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal

Ali Nizar Latif

Riyazuddin Mohammad Shaik

Hanan F Abdul-Rahim

Gheyath K Nasrallah

Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari

Adeel A Butt

Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi

Mohamed H Al-Thani

Abdullatif Al-Khal

Roberto Bertollini

Laith J Abu-Raddad

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants are genetically divergent. We conducted a matched, test-negative, case-control study to estimate duration of protection of the second and third/booster doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines against BA.1 and BA.2 infections in Qatar. BNT162b2 effectiveness was highest at 46.6% (95% CI: 33.4-57.2%) against symptomatic BA.1 and at 51.7% (95% CI: 43.2-58.9%) against symptomatic BA.2 infections in the first three months after the second dose, but declined to ~10% or below thereafter. Effectiveness rebounded to 59.9% (95% CI: 51.2-67.0%) and 43.7% (95% CI: 36.5-50.0%), respectively, in the first month after the booster dose, before declining again. Effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalization and death was 70-80% after the second dose and >90% after the booster dose. mRNA-1273 vaccine protection showed similar patterns. mRNA vaccines provide comparable, moderate, and short-lived protection against symptomatic BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron infections, but strong and durable protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and death.

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