Researchers at Emory published the study in Science and Translational Medicine. They followed 24 participants who received the 2023–24 vaccine, which was monovalent and matched the Omicron XBB.1.5 strain. The team measured memory B cells, binding antibodies, and neutralizing antibodies over a six-month period.
The study found that antibody levels had a half-life of more than 500 days, so at least 50% stayed detectable more than 16 months after vaccination. Participants also made cross-reactive antibodies that recognized both the ancestral WA1 strain and the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant. Researchers said prior vaccination likely increased these cross-reactive antibodies about 2.8-fold.
Difficult words
- monovalent — Made to protect against one virus type.
- strain — A specific version of a virus.
- memory B cells — A white blood cell that remembers an infection.
- neutralizing antibodies — A protein that stops a virus from infecting cells.
- half-life — Time for half of a substance to decrease.
- cross-reactive — Reacting to more than one similar virus type.
- detectable — Able to be found or measured.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Are you surprised that antibodies stayed detectable more than 16 months? Why or why not?
- Would you take a vaccine that is matched to a specific strain? Why or why not?
- Have you or someone you know had a vaccine recently? How did you feel afterwards?
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