We measured anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses before and after CoronaVac (inactivated) vaccination in a case-control study performed in CoronaVac-immunized individuals participating in a longitudinal prospective study of adults in Manaus (DETECTCoV-19). Antibody responses were measured by standard serological immunoassays. Peak anti-S-RBD and neutralizing RBD-ACE2 blocking antibody responses after two doses of CoronaVac vaccine were similar in vaccine breakthrough cases (n = 9) and matched controls (n = 45). Individuals with hybrid immunity resulting from prior SARS-CoV-2 infection followed by vaccination (n = 22) had elevated levels of anti-N, anti-S-RBD and RBD-ACE2 blocking antibodies after the second vaccine dose compared to infection-naïve individuals (n = 48). Post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses rapidly waned in infection-naïve individuals. Antibody responses wane after vaccination, making individuals susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 variants. These findings support the need for booster doses after primary vaccination. Population antibody serosurveys provide critical information toward implementing optimal timing of booster doses.
Keywords: CoronaVac; SARS-CoV-2; antibody response; breakthrough; vaccine.